436 
.37 



Diaries of SI H. Laughlin, of Tennessee, 1840, 1843 



With Introduction and Notes by 

ST. GEORGE L. SIOUSSAT 
« 



Reprinted from the Tenneeeee Historical Magazine. March 1916. 



■ L37 



I 






WDEXED 



Diaries of S. H. Laughlin, of Tennessee, 1840, 1843 

Reprinted from the Tennessee Historical Magazine, March 1916. 



Samuel H. Laughlin, the writer of the following Diaries, 
was prominent in the fields of newspaper work and polities in 
Tennessee in the period of Jackson and Polk. As he tells us in 
the second Diary, he was born in Washington County, Vir- 
ginia, May 1, 1796. Other biographical details are given in the 
Diaries. Of chief interest for the purposes of this present pub- 
lication is the connection of Laughlin with the inner circle of 
the Jackson Democratic state machine. In 1835 it was de- 
cided to establish at Nashville a newspaper, the Nashville 
Union,^ to represent the Jackson adherents in the community, 
which, although Jackson's home, preferred to adopt the cause 
of Judge Hugh Lawson White. Laughlin was selected as the 
editor. This connection, however, was not of long duration. 
At the time when the first of the Diaries here printed was 
written, Laughlin was a resident of McMinnville, in Warren 
County, in the Cumberland Mountain region of Tennessee. This 
first Diary describes a journey from McMinnville to Washing- 
ton, D. C, and Baltimore, Maryland, made by Laughlin as a 
delegate to the Democratic National Convention, held in Bal- 
timore in May, 1840. Unfortunately^ the Diary breaks off 
shortly after the writer's arrival in Baltimore, and thus fails 
to give an account of the convention. However, besides many 
comments on political matters picked up by the way and varied 
illustrations of methods of travel in 1840, this Diary is inter- 
esting as giving authoritative information upon the political 
purposes of Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk and their 
Tennessee organization upon the eve of the campaign for Van 
Buren's reelection. 

In 1841-42 Laughlin was a member of the Tennessee Senate, 
and in this session and in the called session of 1842, he took 
a most prominent part in the partisan warfare by which a 
Democratic Senate blocked the Whig House of Representatives 
as to the election of Senators, with the result that Tennessee 
was without representation in the Senate until 1848, when the 
Whigs controlled both houses and succeeded in electing two 
Whig Senators, as is described in the second Diary. This 
senatorial episode of 1841-42, celebrated in Tennessee history, 
bestowed upon Laughlin, Andrew Johnson and the eleven 
Democratic Senators associated with them, the name of the 

'Cp. the introduction lo "Letters of James K. Polk to Cave Johnson, 1833-1848" 
(Doc). Tennessee Historical Magazine, Volume i, p. 218. (Hereafter cited as 
Polk-Johnson Letters.) 






Documents 

"immortal thirteen."^ In 1840 Harrison and Tyler carried the 
state; in 1841 Polk, a candidate for reelection as governor, 
was defeated by the Whig, James C. Jones, though the Demo- 
crats won a majority of the state Senate; in 1843 Jones was 
again successful, and the Democratic outlook was not encour- 
aging. The candidacy of Polk for Vice-President,^ initiated in 
1840, was, however, pressed again, and it was hoped that on 
account of the disorganization wrought b}^ Tyler, the Demo- 
cratic chances would be more favorable. This was the situa- 
tion when the assembly met in October, 1843. Again the Diary 
is incomplete, but the detail with which it describes the pro- 
cedure of the Legislature makes it a valuable source for the 
six weeks which it covers. 

The next year Laughlin was again a delegate to the Demo- 
cratic National Convention. After the nomination had been 
attained he was again brought to Nashville to edit the Union 
— which passed under the business management of John P. 
Heiss, a Pennsylvanian for some time identified with Tennes- 
see — and in this capacity fought valiantly for Polk's election. 
When Polk became President, Laughlin was rewarded by ap- 
pointment to be Eecorder of the General Land Office of the 
United States. He died in Washington. 

Throughout all of these years Laughlin was a frequent cor- 
respondent with Jackson and Polk, in whose papers are to be 
found many of his letters. In printing the Diaries the manu- 
script has been followed with exactness, except in the case of 
personal details, which usually refer to his own health or to 
private family matters. These omissions have been duly in- 
dicated. 

For the use of the original Diaries, which are written in a 
leather-bound book of the usual sort, the Magazine is indebted 
to Mrs. Jessie Spurlock Harrison, of McMinnville, Tenn., a 
great-granddaughter of Mr. Laughlin. 

St. George L. Sioussat. 



"J. Phelan, History of Tennessee, chapters 36, 37. 
'Polk-Johnson Letters, pp. 229-232. 



Laughlm Diaries 



Diary and Notes of imj Journey to Baltimore, to the Na- 
tional Convention of 1840, and my visit to Washington City 
on the same occasion. 

Also Diary, journal and memoranda {see page 85)/ made 
during the session of the Legislature of Tennessee, of 1843-4, 
by S. H. Laughlin. 

[I.] 

McMiNNViLLE, Tenn., April 13, 1840. 
Having been appointed by the Central State Democratic Commit- 
tee, a Delegate to [the] National Convention to be assembled at 
Baltimore on the 5th of May, proximo; and having been induced 
reluctantly, upon the urgent solicitation of Gov. Polk, the Committee, 
and many other friends to accept the appointment; and having con- 
sented and notified the Committee of my acceptance, I this day left 
home in the stage for Nashville to meet Mr. Thomas the delegate 
from Maury, and others, and to consult with friends at that place 
on the subject of the business and objects of the proposed conven- 
tion, and then proceed to Baltimore by w^ay of the "river route," via 
Louisville, Cincinnati, Wheeling and Washington City. We had a 
crow^ded stage. My son Samuel Houston was with me, going to 
Nashville to live with Mr. Kizer, my son-in-law, to learn business 
as a clerk; and Mr. John and Mr. William Black were going to 
Nashville, the former of whom lived there. Mrs. Roscoe, a married 
lady was going to Nashville to professor Villeplait's — and Dr. William 
Richardson, was in the stage on his way from Virginia to Dickson 
County. Owing to the company of the ladies, and the badness of the 
roads, especially Wilson's Hill, we slept at Brandon's thirty miles 
from McMinnville. Saw Maj. Trott at Woodbury, and promised to 
write to him. 

Tuesday, April 14. 

We rose early, and with the aid afforded by Paul Herreford, the 
contractors agent, we got safely over Wilson's Hill, and to Murfrees- 
boro by 10 o'clock, where I saw Dr. Rucker, Maj. Ledbetter and a 
few friends while breakfast was getting ready. I forgot to mention 
yesterday that a young Mr. Fain, and a Mr. Payne, a half-breed 
Cherokee, a relation of the Clark family at Kingston, were in the 
stage, just from Knoxville, and had informed us of the death of 
Judge Hugh Lawson White on the previous Friday (10th inst.). 
Chancellor Ridley who had left Knoxville on the previous Wednesday 
had before informed me, that when he left that place Judge Thos. L. 
Williams had told him that the Judge could not survive many days. 
So, here is an end of ambition — of the ambition of an old politician 
who had been betrayed and deceived by his pretended friends, John 
Bell and others, into a course of intrigue and tergiversation, which 
had cast him from the Senate, had lost him the esteem of all good 
men in his state, and had embittered his latter days, and probably 
shortened his life. What a warning his example ought to afford to 
all thinking and candid men!' 

After breakfasting at Murfreesboro, the stage proceeded on the 
turnpike at the rapid rate of seven or eight miles an hour, and took 

*A reference to page 85 of the MSS. 

■■This was the orthodox nemocratic view of Judge White's course. As the majority 
of the voters in Tennessee had supported Judge White, it would seem that "all good 
men," though few, were in the Democratic fold! 



Documents 

us to Nashville by 4 o'clock P. M. I got out at the post office, and 
proceeded to Mr. Kizer's where I found my daughters Ellen and 
Isabella in good health, as was Mr. K. himself. After eating a 
hasty dinner, I received a message from Gen. Armstrong, that some 
friends desired to see me at his office (the post office) and called im- 
mediately where I met the Gen. [,] Gov. Polk, Capt S. M. Barnes and 
others. Dr. J. S. Young, Secretary of State, had called at Mr. 
Kizer's and went with me. While at the post office Judge G. W. 
Campbell and others called. I found Mr. Speaker Thomas, and Mr. 
Newton Clarke, delegates to Baltimore, the latter from Bedford, at 
Gen. A's. After some conversation, Col. J. G. Harris came in. 
Messrs. Thomas, Clarke and myself went home with the Governor to 
tea, and to pay our respects to the time honored sage of the Hermit- 
age" who was at the Governor's house. We found the Ex President 
in good health and fine spirits; and very deeply impressed with the 
importance of the nomination of President and Vice President which 
it was the object of the Baltimore Convention to make. He was 
clear in the position that the nomination of Col. Johnson,' whom 
he greatly honors as a soldier and patriot would weaken and distract 
our party in the south, south west, and everywhere. That Georgia 
and Alabama had their own favorites, Forsyth and King,** but both 
preferred Polk to Johnson, and that Virginia and South Carolina 
would in no event vote for Johnson, and were both Polk states. That 
Polk would be aceptable to North Carolina, Alabama, S. Carolina, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and the whole southwest; that Vir- 
ginia had nominated him unconditionally, and that in the North 
West he would be as strong or stronger than Johnson. That Massa- 
chusetts had nominated Polk, affording a clear indication of the 
wishes of the whole eastern democracy. That he had been told, but 
did not credit it, that Mr. Kendall, Col. Benton and Mr. Poinsett were 
averse to Polk's nomination; that he had reason to believe that Mr. 
Wright of New York, and Mr. Allen of Ohio were for Polk; that the 
President stood entirely aloof, as he ought to do, from all participa- 
tion in the question; that he had written his views freely and fully 
to Col. Benton, Mr. Wright, Mr. Kendall and others. 

Wednesday, April 15, 1840. 
Again saw Col. Polk, and read his last letters from Mr. Grundy, 
Mr. Cave Johnson and Mr. Hubbard (David) Gen. A. Anderson and 
others. Heard his views at large, and his determination. He was 
advised that it was a project at Washington, (into which I fear our 
friends have been persuaded to unite if true) to make no nomination 
of Vice President at Baltimore, and let the states and the people unite 
opon candidates, and if no election is made by the Electoral Colleges, 
that the Senate will make a choice, which will ensure Gov. Polk's 
election any how. I do not approve of this, if it can possibly be 
avoided, because it may lead to the sacrifice of Col. Polk, and can 
have no other effect than to (perhaps) strengthen Mr. Van Buren 
whose election is safe anyhow; and because Gov. Polk ought not, and 
declares he will not, after the manner and example of Judge White 
in 1836, be run as a sectional candidate, to promote the personal pros- 

'Andrew Jackson, on his retirement from the Presidency, kept in consifant touch 
with the state Democratic organization of Tennessee. In 1839 James K. Polk had 
achieved a great party success in the defeat of Newton Cannon for governor. This, 
with his record as Congressman and Speaker of the House of Represntatives, made 
Polk "available" for national office. 

'R. M. Johnson, of Kenitucky, was distasteful to Southern men because of alleged 
irregularity in his domestic affairs. 

sjohn Forsyth, of Georgia, Secretary of State, and W. R. King, Senator from 
Alabama. See Polk-Johnson Letters, p. 230. 



Laughlin Diaries 

pects of any man, when he cannot be elected himself, and is not or 
may not be the choice of a majority of his own party. He declared 
to us, that in the event of Johnson's nomination, he would earnestly 
support him; but if no nomination was made, and states enough did 
not forthwith take him up, for which reasonable time might be 
allowed, to elect him, or place him foremost on the democratic list 
before the Senate, that he would forthwith withdraw his name, and 
take the field in support of Col. Johnson, or the strongest democratic 
candidate who may be brought out by the states or the people. He 
handed me letters of introduction for myself from Gen. Jackson to 
Messrs. T. L. Hamer of Ohio, Mr. Vanderpoel of New York, and 
Mr. Kendall the postmaster General. He furnished Mr. Thomas, 
while I went to engage a passage to Smithland, with a tabular calcu- 
lation of Electoral votes; having previously read us copies of some 
of his last letters to our friends at Washington avowing his views 
and determination; and submitting matters as to nomination or no 
nomination to discretion of his friends from such events as had or 
might occur — his last letters from them having been written before 
the Massachusetts nomination had reached Washington. 

I saw Gen. Jackson, and took leave of him at 1 o'clock P. M. at 
Gen. Armstrong's where he had dined. Capt. Wm. Armstrong, the 
Cherokee Agent West, had lately informed Gen. A. who had been at 
the Agency a week or two since, that an Agent of the Pennsylvania 
U. S. bank, was at the Agency with seven or eight hundred thousand 
dollars in U. S. Bank notes, and was offering them to Capt. A. as 
disbursing agent to a number of tribes of Indians, to be paid to them 
as annuities. He (Capt. A) had refused to receive it — it was offered 
as upon authority of some disbursing officer of War Department, and 
possibly grew out of some arrangement sanctioned by Mr. Secretary 
Poinsett; and if so, which Capt. A. did not credit, it must be unknown 
to Mr. Van Buren. Capt A. I think had written to Mr. Poinsett. 
Gen. Armstrong had mentioned these facts to me yesterday evening. 
Gen. Jackson now told me on taking leave of him, that he had heard 
of the matter with astonishment; that it was an unjustifiable attempt 
of the bank in its suspended state, to throw its depreciated notes in 
circulation, not warranted by law, or justice to the Indians, and that 
he had or would write forthwith to Col. Benton and the President, 
and requested me personally, as from him, to mention the matter to 
both of them as soon as I arrived in Washington. 

After adjusting some matters of business, arranging exchanges 
etc. left Nashville on the Excel Steamer, Capt. Dasheils, about 2 o'cl. 
P. M. in company with Messrs. Thomas and Clarke, and found Messrs. 
McFerrin, Parker, and Driskol, Delegates to the Baltimore General 
Conference of Methodist Church on board; and also Mr. Gaskill and 
lady of Gallatin, going East on a visit, and several other passengers, 
among whom was Maj. Whitlocke, an agent of Messrs. Hicks, Ewing 
& Go's Iron Establishment, and a Mr. Charles Adams a New York 
merchant, or collecting drummer, who was the most finical dandy of a 
glutton I had met with for many a day. Without any particular 
accident or material occurrence we got to Mouth of Harpeth, at foot 
of the shoals, and lay by all night in a fog. 

Thursday, April 16, 1840. 
Made an early start, and after stopping at Clarksville, Dover, 
Canton (in Trigg Co. Ky.) Eddyville in Caldwell Co. Ky, and after 
seeing the residences from the river, of Gen. M. Lyon, and Col. C. 
Lyon (the former of whom is dead) near the latter place, and hearing 
the Whigs on the bank at Eddyville lament the death of the great 
Hugh Lawson White as a loss to the Harrison cause, we arrived at 



Documents 

Smithland about 10 o'clock at night — and went oflf the boat at Bledsoe's 
Hotel to await and lookout for a boat going up the Ohio, Wrote let- 
ters home in the morning to Mrs. L. and J. W. Ford, and sent others 
written to some in Nashville to post office in Clarksville. 

Friday, April 17, 1840. 
Rose early, hoping for a boat to arrive. Had a tolerable breakfast; 
just after which the old Memphis Steamer came by, passing up the 
Ohio, There being ten of us she offered to take us to Louisville for 
$5 each. She was old, slow, and out of repair. We concluded by 
vote, not to go, though her Captain promised to take us to Louisville 
by Sunday morning, though Capt. Dasheils (a very clever fellow by 
the by) informed us she could not reach that place before Tuesday 
evening. McFerrin and others reported her "doings" as we say to 
be wretched, so we concluded to wait for the next Boat, as the 
Phillips and Monarch from St. Louis, bound up the Ohio were looked 
for in the course of the day. Wrote to Mr. Kizer of my arrival here, 
under cover to Gen. Armstrong, by the Excel, the Capt. promissing to 
deliver. I had also written yesterday, to Mr. Keeble, from Clarks- 
ville to Murfreesboro, requesting him or Yoakum to attend Court 
for me at Murfreesboro — and directing him and Dr. W. R. Rucker 
to write to G. W. Jones, Andrew Ewing or L. P. Cheatham to attend 
at Murfreesborough and make speeches at such time as they should 
appoint. 

Got off from Smithland, which is a most wretched place, at 5 
o'clock P. M. on the Lexington, large Steamer, Capt. Alter of Cin- 
cinnati, for Cincinnati, and passed Golconda about sunset. At Smith- 
land saw Mr. Spence, and Capt. J. G. Anderson, formerly of Nash- 
ville, who said that in Kentucky, many Whig Clay men had abso- 
lutely refused to go for Harrison. Anderson told me of several acts 
of anile folly and ostentation he had witnessed in Gen. Harrison's 
private conduct — and that Harrison had said last fall, before he was 
nominated, that if Clay should be nominated at Harrisburg, that still, 
he H. would run for the Presidency as an independent candidate — 
that H. disliked Clay personally. Spence, who lives at Smithland, 
the Mouth of Cumberland, which is in Livingston County, Ky. that 
the Whigs there, had a few days before, for $150, bought up Bell the 
Editor of the "Times" newspaper published there, and who had been 
a Democrat. Had a night of thunder, lightning and rain — a night 
when 

Clouds obscure the atmosphere, 
And forked lightnings rend the air. 

Saturday, April 18, 1840. 
After having slept well, Thomas and myself having a state room, 
got up early, just as we were in sight of Mount Vernon, in Indiana, 
having passed Shaunytown, Illinois, and mouth of Wabash in the 
night. Run on rapidly, and passed Henderson, Ky. at 9 o'clock. Had 
a cloudy cold day, but made a good run, keeping in sight all day of 
the Swallow which had passed us at Smithland. Met many steam and 
flat boats going down. Had much conversation with a New Yorker, 
a native of Maryland, a democrat who had been living at Smithland, 
and was going home by Frankfort, Ky. A Mississippian, I think a 
Doctor, and Thomas had various discussions. Passed Evansville, la. 
which seems to be in a state of rapid growth. Learned that this 
place, where the Indiana Canal terminates, is the home of Mr. Geo. 
Proffit an Indiana Whig member of the present Congress. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Sunday, April 19, 1840. 

Passed Brandenburg, Ky. about sunrise, and the Mouth of Salt 
river at breakfast time. 

Got on to Louisville, and walked from Mouth of Canal up to town 
with Thomas and N Yorker who lived at Smithland as appeared. 
Put letter in Post office for Gen. Armstrong. Went to levee and 
found a crowd of people preparing to hold inquest over a drowned 
man who had just been discovered floating down the river. — As soon 
as our boat got through the Canal, went on board. Rev. J. B. Mc- 
Ferrin, one of our company, came on board and Tho. J. Read, Mr. 
McAlister and M. [ ]" Woodburn of Madison, Indiana, who was on 
his way up home, fifty miles above Louisville. Was introduced by 
Mr. Read to these gentlemen, as democrats, and especially to Mr. 
Woodburn, who is a Methodist, democrat, and a man of very great 
influence in his own state. Soon left Louisville, and had long con- 
versation with Mr. Woodburn. To satisfy him he might confide in 
me, and having assurances from Read of his trustworthiness, and 
finding him a Polk man, and full of intelligence, I talked freely with 
him, told him my business to Baltimore, which Read had informed 
him of, and told him I had letter from Gen. Jackson to Mr. T. L. 
Hamer of Ohio, etc. He told me if he had been at home, and could 
have attended the Indiana State Convention, that he believed Polk 
would have been nominated for V. P.; that he knew Johnson well, 
esteemed him as a patriot and soldier, but that his nomination would 
be a dead weight on us in the next election, as it had been in 1836. 
In every respect he esteemed Polk as the preferable man — in talents, 
services being equal, and so much superior in private character. 
Mr. W. is a commissioner of the Board of public Works of Indiana. 
He said he had no fears of success in the coming election in Indiana. 
That Gen. T. A. Howard the democratic candidate for Gov. was all- 
powerful! and charged me to present his respects to the Gen. at 
Washington, and tell him from him that he must hasten home and 
take the field, and to tell Gen. Carr, his own immediate representative 
in Congress the same thing. Said he would write in a day or two 
by mail to both gentlemen; and said that he earnestly hoped that 
Gov. Polk would be nominated — that it would offset Harrison's popu- 
larity in Indiana. I wrote a letter by Mr. Woodburn to my brother 
Clinton at Gregory's Store, Indiana, requesting him to meet me at 
the boarding house at lower end of Louisville Canal as I return home, 
and to be there by 9th or 10th of May, and remain til I come on. 

Had a fine passage to Cincinnati — or until retiring hour on the 
night of this day. 

Monday, April 20, 1840. 
Arrived at Cincinnati about 9 o'clock in the morning, and after 
various delays, and the dem[u]rring of Driskol and Parker, two 
preachers, we got off for Wheeling on the Steamer Montgomery, Capt. 
Gregg, about 3 o'clock P. M. having left the two timid preachers — 
McFerrin coming on with us (Thomas, Clark and myself, and Gaskill 
and wife, and Mrs. Robertson an old lady under McFerrin's care) 
and made a fine run, being nearly at Portsmouth, mouth of Ohio 
Canal, at mouth of Sciota, by daylight. Stopt awhile at Portsmouth, 
to put off and take on some freight. Heard that the Rubicon steamer 
which had departed before us a few hours, with many preachers going 
to General Conference, accompanied by Bishop Roberts, was only a 
few hours before us. Passed Northbend, mouth of Great Miama, 
and Gen. Harrison's residence three miles above. It is a splendid 

•Blank in Ms. 



Documents 

residence, and great Canal from Cincinnati to [ ]" leaves river at 
his place. His residence, large white framed house, is beautiful — 
finer than Mount Vernon. 

Tuesday, April 21, 1840. 
After leaving Portsmouth as stated above, we run on all day 
without accident or incident worth recording — Read Lockhart's Life 
of Sir Walter Scott, and passed the day in looking at country seats, 
farms, villages, and scenery on the banks of the river. The river was 
evidently becoming narrower. From about 100 miles below Louisville, 
where the hills set in, this is the case — and besides we had passed 
so many rivers, that the Ohio must now contain not much over two 
thirds or perhaps half the water it contains at Louisville. Went to 
bed early, and slept well. In evening, at Guyandot, saw a Harrison 
flag on long pole, standing on bank of river near the Landing. 

Wednesday, Aprl. 22, 1840. 
In the morning found ourselves 30 miles below Marietta. Passed 
Blannerhasset Island, rendered immortal in story by Wirt's Speech 
in Burr's trial. It is two miles below Parkersburg, Va., at mouth of 
great Canawha. Got to Wheeling about dark in the evening, and 
engaged passage in the Pilot line of stages to leave for Frederick, 
Maryland, on next morning at 7 o'clock, and took lodgings at the 
U, S. Hotel. In the course of the day saw the Harrison flag sus- 
pended (or displayed) from a pole at Parkersburg — perhaps Guyan- 
dot, dont precisely remember, but thought the thing ridiculous. 

Thursday, Aprl. 23, 1840. 
Left Wheeling and took the National road now in good repair and 
passed on rapidly by Washington, Pennsylvania. Found the neighbor- 
hood of Wheeling abounding in rich coal mines, and the farms in a 
high state of cultivation, the land along Wheeling creek being exceed- 
ingly rich, as well as the adjacent hill sides. Travelled on all day, 
and night, at good speed. In the portion of Pennsylvania through 
which we passed, farms were in high cultivation. After we entered 
the mountain regions, the trees, except near branches and water 
courses, were scarcely discoverable to be putting forth leaves, and 
the apple trees, which grow to unusual size, were just in full blossom. 
The grass and clover, wild and cultivated however, was greatly more 
forward than it was any where in Middle Tennessee when I left home. 
I wrote a line home, enclosed to Mrs. L. through Squire Ford, at 
Wheeling. 

Friday, April 24, 1840. 
Travelled without intermission, breakfasting at Union Town, 
in Fayette County Pennsylvania, near which Mr. Gallatin formerly 
had his residence. About a dozen miles West of Union Town we 
passed Brownsville, in the same county, where we crossed the Monon- 
gohala on a excellent bridge. This is a point where many of the 
Pittsburg and Pennsylvania Steamboats are built for the Western 
trade. It is where our Capt. Gregg of the Montgomery has his 
home. The river at this place is a beautiful stream, and steamboats 
pass above, I learn, to the Virginia line. We made a good travel this 
day, until we commenced the ascent of the Mountain proper; we 
made a good travel. We passed into Maryland at a place called the 
Little Crossings, where there is a tavern. At Cumberland we saw 
delightful scenery. 

ii'Blank in Ms. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Saturday, April 25, 1840. 
Morning found us about 25 miles above Hagerstown. By twelve, 
we arrived at Frederick, where we got a hasty breakfast, and got 
into the Railway cars for the Relay House, at the junction of the 
Washington and Baltimore and Frederick and Baltimore railroads, 
on the Patapsco, about four miles below Ellicot's Mills. The village 
at the pass with the Banking House, and other improvements, on 
the heights, the most picturesque we had seen, especially the private 
dwellings which were delightful. Got dinner at Relay House, and at 
3 o'clock, or half past, got into the Washington cars as they passed 
from Baltimore, and in less than two hours, run about 35 miles to 
Washington. Met Col. Williamson Smith at Depot House in Wash- 
ington, and below at Mrs. Owners, met Mr. Grundy" who arranged 
for me to get a room at Orchard (a house of Owner on the Avenue) 
next to Mr. Jamison of Missouri, up stairs, Mr. Turney'- and Col. 
Boyd of Ky. occupying the two lower rooms. That evening was in- 
troduced to Dr. Linn of Mo. Judge Young of Illinois, Gen. Robinson 
of same. Col. Mouton of Louisiana, Mr. Parmenter and Mr. Williams 
of Massachusetts. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Clarke got quarters at Mrs. 
Brawners, next door to Mrs. Owners, where Mr. Waterson'^ and others 
boarded. Mr. Grundy this evening showed me the House from 
which all Whig documents are circulated. 

Sunday Aprl. 26, 1840. 
Remained in my room til evening, and then took a walk with Mr. 
Turney to the Capitol and public grounds. The grounds, about 20 
acres, in a beautiful state of improvement. Read newspapers, and 
Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott. Saw H. C. Williams and 
Robert Williams. 

Monday, Apl. 27th, 1840. 

Went in the morning with my colleagues Thomas and Clarke, and 
Messrs. Grundy and Waterson to pay our respects to the President at 
10 o'clock. Found Gov. Isaac Hill" there. The President received 
us with great courtesy. Before we left, he called Mr. Grundy aside 
for a moment. Mr. Van Buren looked "fat, thrifty and well" as the 
song says — that is, he had increased greatly in corpulency since I had 
seen him in 1835. Went to the Senate with Mr. A. V. Brown,''' after 
I had been introduced into the privileged part of the House by Mr. 
Waterson. In Senate Gen. Anderson introduced me to various Sen- 
ators as did Gov. Clay. Found Mr. Calhoun quite talkative, very 
cheerful, and Col. Benton vastly dignified. Both however extremely 
polite as was Mr. Robert Walker of Mi. and Col. King of Alabama, 
and Mr. Cuthbert of Georgia. 

The House of representatives were engaged on the Appropriation 
Bill; and the Whigs, Proffit, Stanley, Waddy Thompson, Rice Garland, 
etc. were annoying, embarrassing and hindering the progress of the 
bill in committee of the whole. On this day, Mr. Jones, chairman of 
Com. of Ways and Means, having urged the passage of the bill, the 
democrats determined to sit it out, and sat from 12 oclock to 5 oclock 
P. M. next day, hindering Whig debate as much as possible, by calls 
to order and making no speeches. I remained in the House all night, 
sitting up with Blackwell, Hubbard, Brown, and other friends til 1 
oclock in the morning and then sleeping on a sopha for an hour, and 

'^Felix Grundy, Senator from Tennessee. 

■^Hopkins L. Turney, Representative from Tennessee. 

''Harvey M. Watterson, Representative from Tennessee. 

"Of New Hampshire. 

'"Representative from Tennessee. 



Documents 

than getting up and attending to proceedings til breakfast time. I 
never saw such shameful scenes of disorder in any deliberative body 
— not in any public meeting of citizens. The Bill had been then de- 
bated by the Whigs — or not the bill but matters and things in gen- 
eral — for more than two weeks to the total neglect of all other busi- 
ness. The table of the House was loaded with Senates bills not acted 
on, and the Senate was in a situation to finish the business of the 
session in two or three weeks; while the House at its present rate of 
progress could not get through by August. The expense of a session 
of Congress is about [ ]'" per day; and all this the Whigs were 
incurring to embarrass the government, and make capital for Gen. 
Harrison. In Committee of the whole the previous question cannot 
be called — so that by spinning out debate, absenting themselves, so 
as to prevnt a quorum, offering and debating frivolous amendments, 
the time and money of the people is most shamefully wasted. 

On this day, I heard Hubbard of N. H. and Preston of S. C. 
and Southard on the other — Tappan of Ohio, helping Hubbard debate 
a Bill for the relief of Fillebrown a removed clerk in the Navy 
department. 

Tuesday, April 28, 1840. 
Not having slept last night, I got some coffee for breakfast, and 
lounged about the House of Reps, all day. The same scene described 
in yesterdays journal continued all day til the adjournment late in 
the evening. Saw Gen. Anderson and Gov. Clay" about the business 
of the Baltimore Convention. All were now agreed that Gov. Polk 
could not be nominated — that Johnson could not without New York, 
and that best way, if possible, was to make no nomination. This 
matter was in treaty between Mr. Grundy and Mr. Wright. Talked 
with Mr. D. Hubbard and Mr. A. V. Brown on the subject, pressed 
the matter in every form. Went to bed early, and slept most soundly. 

Wednesday, April 29. 

Wrote to Gov. Polk. Called at Hills with Mr. Thomas and saw 
Gov. Clay, Mr. Hubbard, on the Convention business. Saw Mr. 
Vanderpoel, and Judge Wick of Indiana, on the subject. They both 
were in favor of no nomination, as was a Mr. Davis of the latter 
state to whom I was introduced. Learned that Bean, a Delegate 
from Alabama to Convention was in the City, and under the control 
of Mr. King; and that Hubbard and Gov. Clay had pressed him hard 
to consent to no nomination. Heard that Mr. Calhoun had pressed 
the same matter upon Gen. Howard of Indiana, from Hubbard who 
had been present. Had a conversation with Mr. Jamison of Missouri 
on the subject on our way to the capitol. He agreed with me that it 
was best to make no nomination; leaving states and people free, as 
this course would ensure us the Vice President at all events if Mr. 
Van Buren should be re-elected; and that whichever of the democratic 
candidates was highest on the list, would be elected by the Senate — 
and this would strengthen our party in the contest for the Presidency 
and leave Tennessee and Alabama unincumbered with Col John- 
son's name. 

In the evening understood at supper that Gov. CarrolP^ had 
arrived. Saw Thomas, Smith and Clarke as they and Waterson re- 
turned from calling on him at Gadsby's. Gen. DeGraffenreid of Mis- 
sissippi, a delegate to the Convention, and Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dorch 
of our Delegation were also in town, and came with Gen. Carroll. 

"Blank in Ms. 

"C. C. Clay, of Alabama. 

'^William Carroll, of Tennessee. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Thursday, Apl. 30, 1840. 
After breakfast, went with Mr. Grundy and Mr. Turney to see 
Gen. Carroll. Found him well, and going to the President's. Came 
to my room, and went with Col. Boyd and Mr. Turney to the 
Patent office. Met Dr. Charles Douglas, now a clerk in that office. 
Found that he is an old acquaintance of Col. J. G. Harris, Editor 
of the Nashville Union, and determined to get a statement from 
him as to Harris' anti-abolition course, he being clear that Harris 
never was an abolitionist. Examined various new caracatures at a 
shop on the avenue, and a log cabin, of the size of a Martin-box, set 
upon a block, fronting a shop door on the Avenue — By the Avenue, 
I always mean Pennsylvania Avenue, as Owner's where I board is 
on it — and as it is the highway from Capitol to the President's 
House. 

Friday, May 1, 1840. 
Went early in the morning to Gadsby's and saw Gov. Carroll. 
Found him, Mr. Dortch and Mr. Rogers. Accounts from Tennessee 
tolerably favorable. In the course of the day talked with Mr. 
Jamison of Missouri, who seemed favorably disposed to making no 
nomination. There was a May ball in the evening, but did not go 
to it. Mrs. Young and Mrs. Linn spoke in high terms of the amuse- 
ments. The Russian Minister was at it, but his young American 
wife, just married, was not there.^* Wrote home and heard various 
debates in House on the appropriation Bill. J. W. Jones Chairman 
of the Committee of Ways and Means is an able and accomplished 
man. Heard Rice Garland of La. Proffitt of Indiana, Waddy Thomp- 
son of S. C. Gen. McKay of N. C. Stanley, of N. C. Graves of Ky. 
Gushing of Mass. Briggs of same, and A. Smith of Maine. The 
most worthless and profligate opposition, I am sure, and the least 
regardless of decency, is the set of noisy drivillers, [sic'] who are 
now annoying the House, and trying to delay the passage of the ap- 
propriation Bill. The Senate is nearly through the business of the 
Session, and can get through in some three weeks, if the House 
would only hasten the business, and especially the money bills which 
must originate in that branch of Congress. 

Saturday, May 2, 1840. 
Some of our friends talked of setting off to Baltimore to be ready 
for the convention and to be in time to get lodgings, and see the 
parade of the Whig convention on Monday the 4th. I concluded not 
to go however before Monday, and then go by the 9 o'clock carz [sic]. 
On this evening after a great deal of debate, the general appropria- 
tion bill, including civil list, diplomatic, naval and military estimates, 
passed the House. I understood after it passed, that Mr. Wright 
would insist on taking it up and passing it in Senate on Monday. 
This was contrary to my previous understanding that he would go 
to Baltimore, or neighborhood on Monday to confer with New York 
delegation in relation to the nomination of a candidate for the Vice 
Presidency, to which he was opposed, being the confidential friend 
and adviser of the President. 

Sunday, May 3, 1840. 

Went with Waterson, Clark, Thomas, and Smith to Alexandria in 

the steamer [ ]-° and dined there at a chop house. Came back in the 

evening. Mr. Grundy went early this morning to Baltimore, having 

engaged quarters at Barnum's, and having to hold private confer- 

"The Baron Bodisco, who married Miss Harriet Williams, of Georaetown 
-•"Blank in Ms. 



Documents 

ences with Gen. Dix of the New York delegation and others. Noth- 
ing new to-day. Saw Gen. Anderson and Gov. Clay in the evening. 
Anderson thought no nomination would be made. 

Monday, May 4, 1840. 

Paid off my bill, and packed up early to leave for Baltimore by 
the 9 o clock cars. Went to Globe office with Mr. Turney, to get 
documents, and met Mr. Bynum, who was complaining of the shame- 
less course of the opposition. Got in the Railcars and went up to 
Baltimore. Met Mr. Crozier of our delegation at Depot, and was 
informed that lodgings had been prepared for us at Mrs. Davis', 
near Barnums, where the New York and Alabama delegations were 
quartered. Went there, and found ourselves crowded exceedingly, 
and expecting to sleep on matresses. Found Gov. Clay, Mr. Sydney 
Moore, (son of Dr. Alfred Moore) and Maj. Jesse Bean, and Mr. 
Hubbard the Alabama Delegation. Clay and Hubbard were opposed 
to a nomination. Moore who representing [sic'\ the feelings of his 
uncle. Dr. David Moore, the enemy of Gov. Clay, was for a nom- 
ination, as was Bean who was Senator Kings immediate friend. It 
was evident that Buchanan of Pa. and King of Al. were disposed to 
have Johnson nominated, right or wrong, and Moore from his dislike 
of Gov. Clay, and Bean from his subserviency to Col. King, were 
disposed to aid in the cause. Mr. Buchanan from hostility to Gov. 
Polk's future prospects had allied himself to King, and by con- 
trivance, their friends were trying first to effect a compromise with 
the friends of Johnson and Polk and thereby get King nominated 
upon the half-way-house principle; but if they could not get this 
done, they united and were to unite with Johnson's friends and press 
for a nomination. On this day, on the pavement near Barnums, Mr. 
Moore of the Alabama delegation made a, proposition, problematical 
in its form, to adopt this course of compromise upon King. I assured 
him that I did not believe it could be done, and mentioned states 
that would not agree to it. I [t] seemed to me, that this policy, which 
was understood to be the course dictated by Mr. Buchanan, and of 
forcing a nomination on its failure, which must have resulted in the 
choice (by the states present) in the nomination of Johnson by a 
lean plurality vote of the party, was most unwise in Mr. Buchanan. 
By taking up Johnson, and [sic'] the Pennsylvania Convention had 
done at his imputed instance, and forcing him upon the West and 
Southwest, where he would be a deadweight to our party, would be 
a perfect throwing away of all possible prospective claims of Mr. 
Buchanan to the Presidency. The course would displease his friends 
in that quarter, the only portion of the West where he could hope 
for aid against the rival claims of Col. Benton. By pressing Johnson, 
Mr. Buchanan might make personal friends in the North West, but 
all the States in that direction are and will be devoted to Col. Benton 
for the future Presidency, so that, while Col. Benton lives, Mr, 
Buchanan can never supplant him in the N. W. 

During the afternoon, I went with Mr. Carroll"^ one of the Mary- 
land delegation in Congress, representing the City and County of 
Baltimore, and Mr. Waterson, and took a stand where we could see 
the whole procession of the Whigs with their Banners, and log cabins 
drawn on wagons, as they passed through Monument Square. The 
parade was ridiculous in the extreme. Caleb Norvell and Mr. Humes 
of Knox, and three or four other persons whom I did not know, with 
a bag in mourning inscribed to H. L. White, represented Tennessee 
in a little platoon in the procession. On one of the Maryland flags 

'ijames Carrol), of Baltimore. 



Laughlin Diaries 

was inscribed "Tip, Tyler and Tariff," the strangest set of incon- 
sistent allusions, that ever met or was devised by folly. The Balti- 
more Patriot of the next morning in a detailed account of the pro- 
ceedings, being the boldest of the federal papers, published this 
motto truly, but Duff Green's paper, The Pilot, published in the city 
at the same time, and the Baltimore American suppressed it, although 
they professed to give all the mottos and devices of the flags truly 
and at length. The number of little cabins, built of poles, not by 
those who had them hauled through the streets, and marched in the 
array, for they were young and old aristocrats — lean, long waisted 
dandies, — loafers of all sorts of ages, and real silk-glove gentry who 
knew no more how to build one of these cabins, tho' not bigger than 
pig pens, than they did how to square a circle, or interpret Ezekiel's 
prophesies; but they were built and constructed, and hauled about by 
laboring men whom they despise at heart, and who despise them, 
but now worked for hire for these rich gentry. A noisy fellow, a 
Whig named Laughlin, who was a Marshall in the procession, had 
attempted to drive some man out of his path, who was looking upon 
the parade with the disgust which was common to all sober minded 
men, and for his insolence had been struck with a cane or some sim- 
ilar weapon across the back of the head and was killed. The Whig 
delegation from Massachusetts, it was said, instantly made up a 
thousand dollars for his widow. I saw Mr. Carroll meet great num- 
bers of his constituents on the side walks and they said to him to a 
man, that the whole folly of the parade was strengthening the 
democratic cause hourly. All the business people of Baltimore, except 
some rabid bank merchants and clerks, and others of the same sort, 
were quietly pursuing their everyday business. 

The following outline of doings of the Convention is copied from 
my files of papers. Among my pamphlets is the proceedings in 
pamphlet form. Among my newspaper files, are files of the Whig 
and democratic papers of Baltimore (Daily) during both Conventions 
and containing their proceedings at length." 

[11] 

Journal and Memorandums and Reminiscences, made dur- 
ing the 1st Session of the 2oth General Assetnbly of Tennessee, 
which met at Nashville on Monday, Oct. 2ndy 1843. 

At the General Election of this year I had been elected to 
the State Senate from, the 10th District, composed of the Coun- 
ties of Warren, Cannon, Coffee and DeKalh. 

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1843. 
On this day I left my residence at Hickory Hill, Warren County, 
on horseback, accompanied by Master David Batey, and servant 
Anthony, the latter riding in a carryall, carrying my trunks, for 
Nashville, to attend the session of the General Assembly which was 
to meet on the 2nd day of October. Came to Mr. Batey's on Cripple 
Creek, Rutherford, and stayed all night. Came through McMinnville, 
and fell in with Mr. Joshua Harrison going to Nashville and trav- 
elled with him. Left Miss Batey at my daughter Smartt's. The 
horses I and David rode were Mr. Batey's. Left my mother at home 
very ill, she having been confined from the Friday previous to my 
leaving. . . . She was in (I believe) her 70th year, and had not 

*'Here the Diary breaks off. 



Documents 

walked or stood alone, being crippled by rheumatism, for nearly 
twelve years. In fact she had been able to move but little on her feet 
since she came to live with me on Stone's river, wher I had her and 
my father removed from Washington County, Va., in October, 1829. 
I left my father and daughter Mary with her, and Dr. Smartt under 
promise to attend her daily. I left my boys John James and Andrew 
Jackson going to school to John L. Byars, my son Sam Houston 
having gone to live with Mr. Kizer, the husband of my daughter 
Ellen, some time about the 1st of August last. Mary and Dr. Smartt, 
both promised to keep me constantly advised by letter of the condition 
of my mother. I left home with great reluctance, compelled alone 
by a sense of public duty, and being advised and urged to do so by 
my friends, on account of the great interest they felt, in common with 
all my constituents, in the question of locating the seat of the state 
government,-^ which by the constitution of the state, was required to 
be done permanently in the first week of the approaching Session. 
It was to be done by the Assembly. I came from home and travelled 
in a state of low spirits and melancholly, being deeply anxious about 
my mother, and my domestic matters, confided at home, of necessity, 
too much to servants. 

Thursday, Sept. 28th. 
Left Mr. Batey's after early breakfast, and rode with Anthony 
and Mr. Harrison, alternately, in Carryall, the horse I rode day be- 
fore being Mr. Batej''s. Came through Murfreesboro without stop- 
ping, except in the street while I sent Anthony for plug of tobacco. 
Saw Col. E. A. Keeble a moment in the street who informed me, that 
he was not coming down to Nashville — having nothing to hope for the 
democracy — that Sneed the Senator, and Burrus, and Richardson the 
members of the House from the County had gone to Nashville. — I 
found persons at the first turnpike gate in Rutherford, all agog about 
seat of Government. Got some dinner at Treppard's on the roade, 
[sic'\ and arrived at Nashville, at Mr. Kizer's Market Street, a little 
after dark. Found Mr. K. absent at Baltimore, but Ellen and son 
Houston, well. Slept well and soon (a thing unusual) after going to 
bed, having read myself to sleep in the "New York Albion." 

Friday, Sept. 29, 1843. 
Got up refreshed, and as soon as I went out, was beset by host of 
candidates — candidates for all the little offices of Clerks and Door- 
keepers in the gift of the Assembly. There are only about 8 offices, 
and there are already nearly a hundred candidates on the ground. 
Saw Jas Armstrong who is a candidate for Assistant Clerk in Sen- 
ate, and Joe Argo who is candidate for doorkeeper, and Thos. H. 
Hopkins who [is] candidate for Atto. Genl. or anything, all from 

-"The es'tablishment of a fixed capital for Tennessee was a matter of long dispute, 
which illustrates excellently the sectional and party jealousies which characterized 
this and other American commonwealths. The Tennessee Constitution of 1796 (Article 
X, Section i) fixed the seat of government at Knoxville, in East Tennessee, until 
1802. The Assembly continued to meet in Knoxville until 1807. when the session 
began in Kingston, a few miles to the west of Knoxville, but was ad- 
journed to Knoxville. The sessions continued to be held in Knoxville through 
181 1. The next year a called session was held in Nashville, in the western (now the 
central) part of the state. This led to further sessions in Nashville until 1817, in 
which year Knoxville was again chosen. But the East had lost its grip, and in 1819 
the Assembly met in Murfreesboro, a town which was in the same general region as 
Nashville and which continued as the meeting place of the Assembly until 1826, when 
another called session met in Nashville. Nashville continued thereafter to be chosen, 
but, through the jealousy of the other sections, without any guarantee of permanence. 

As Laughlin states, the Constitution adopted in 1834 (schedule, Section 2) re- 
quired the first Legislature to meet after the next enumeration by census, — which 
would be made in 1843, — to fix, within the first week of its session, a seat of gov- 
ernment. 



Laughlin Diaries 

McMinnville, my county town, and Maj. Grant, and Mr. Sherrel who 
are candidates for Doorkeeper from Coffee. Told them all as well 
as Hodenpyl, and Thomas from Bledsoe, that I thought chances bad. 
The two last wish to be Doorkeeprs to Senate. Find it bad policy to 
be incumbered with candidates from your own district. It has a 
tendency to place you in position to incur obligations on yourself to 
others for support, when the true policy of a member who has a 
favorite local object to carry, is to be in a position to get other 
members under obligations to him. Saw Maj. J. A. Lane who is a 
candidate for re-election as Pr." Clerk to the Senate, and Mr. E. 
Rawlings who is a candidate for Asst. C. Senate, and advised them 
to visit Whig Senators together. Saw Sevier, and other Whig Sen- 
ators, and real Albion, and made notes in my Index Rerum, from 
2 Vol. of Life of Sir Jas. Mackintosh, from marks I had made in 
margin of that book, which I had left at Brandon's when going home 
from Mr. Batey's, in company with Martha and David, about ten 
days ago. Wrote part of a letter to my father in the evening, pre- 
paratory [to] sending Anthony home on tomorrow morning. Heard 
that Marshall Bertrand had gone up to-day to the Herittage, [sicj" 
the Marshall having arrived the night before from St. Louis. This 
is the favorite old General of Napoleon who closed his eyes. Intend, 
if I can, to see him when he returns to town. Went to bed early and 
read in bed in the 28th No. of the American Qr. Review. 

Saturday, Sept. 30, 1843. 

Got up well, and attended by Anthony, went to market to buy 
bacon, but could fine none but hams at 6% cents per lb. Did not buy. 
It rained nearly all day. Got Carryall mended, but as it rained so 
much, and the roads would be so bad, put off Anthony's starting home 
til Monday morning, when I expected to procure bacon. — Saw Maj. 
Trott of Cannon. In good spirits about getting seat of Govt, removed 
from Nashville. Saw Ledbetter of Rutherford, member of Senate 
last year, who apologized and explained the cause of his writing to 
Ramsey my competitor in the last election. Said R. wrote to him 
twice before he would write — that when he did write, it was a private 
letter, not intended to be read in public, and only referred Mr. Ramsey 
to the journals where I had voted in 1830-40, [sic] and 1841-2 on 
the Seat of Government, Senatorial Election, and other party ques- 
tions, and asured me that he never could have written what was 
untrue, that in 1840 I changed my vote on the Seat of Government 
Question, when Colo. Yoakum was the Senator from Rutherford. I 
told him and Dr. Richardson and Mr. Burrus, the representatives 
from Rutherford in the Senate Chamber, that if the Democrats had 
elected a majority to the present Assembly in both Houses, that we 
would have hoisted up and removed the seat of Government from 
Nashville, as certainly as easily, as Archimides hoisted up the 
Roman ships at the siege of Syracuse. That now if the removers 
hoped to do anything they must bring Whig help. 

Called at Gen. Armstrong's in the evening. Found him out at 
Judge Catron's visiting Count Bertrand and Gen. E. P. Gaines.'" Saw 
Dr. Young in course of the day; and afterwards, as I had done 
before, before I came here, and ever since, contradicted the charge 

2^Principal. 

"The Hermitage was the resort of many foreigners of distinction who traveled 
in the West. 

^'^John Catron, appointed by Jackson Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, was one of the inner circle of the Jackson leaders. Edmund 
Pendleton Gaines, Brigadier General in the U. S. A., was at this time in command 
of the Western nivision of the Army. 



Documents 

that he had voted the Whig ticket at the late election. The Dr. 
is a candidate for re-election as Secretary of State. — In the course 
of the day I received a letter dated the 22nd of Sept. 1843, from 
my good friend and cousin Thomas Laughlin, of Philadelphia, Mon- 
roe Co. Tenn. informing me that he is well, had received a letter 
from me at Pikeville, and that his old father and mother were in 
good health, in Whitley Co. Ky in May last. Informs me that his 
eldest daughter is a widow, Jos. Gilles a Senator etc. and recom- 
mends Matthew Nelson as a candidate for State Treasurer. I shall 
vote for Miller Francis the incumbent. Wrote more in my letter to 
father — bought Cooper's Hutted Hill, and read in Miss Frederica 
Bremer's "Neighbors" till I went to sleep. . . . Dudley Woodward 
sleeps with me — Houston in adjoining room — Harry on the floor. 

Sunday, Oct. 1, 1843. 

. . . Visited Gardner and Powell. Saw Judge Miller, Nichol- 
son," Trott, and Gen. Smartt, and Morford. Miller, G. W. Jones 
(now here) and others, thought it advisable to try to make a ticket 
for Senators in Congress, of A. R. Alexander of the West, and Joe 
Williams of the East, as the best way to beat Foster,"* and that mak- 
ing Alexander Speaker, would be a good step towards it. Trott 
doubted whether it would not be wrong to make him Speaker — he told 
me, that Ready had informed him in secret, that the Rutherford Dele- 
gation would give up Foster to get votes for the removal of the seat 
of Government. Powell, at his room., told me that he thought Wil- 
liams and Alexander the men to beat the Nashville Regency" with, 
as they were Whigs, and could each bring three Whigs with him. 
I saw Gen. Smartt on the square and told him that we, who wished 
to affect [sic'\ a removal of the Seat of Government were embar- 
rassed by having candidates dependant [sic] on us for support — that 
it weakened us — that Democracy were in minority, and could elect no 
one — that to incur obligations in trying to get our candidates on, 
we were doing harm to our cause — that months hence was soon 
enough for Mr. Hopkins to become candidate for Att. Genl. and that 
I would do anything I could for him or Armstrong, but that they 
were a drawback on us now. He said he would talk to Mr| Rowan 
about it when he should arrive, and that he agreed with me in opinion. 
I told him of plan to run Alexander and Williams for Senators, and 
he approved of it and said he would talk to Alexander about Seat of 
Government; but I told him not to mention subject of Senators — 
that Judge Austin Miller on our part, and Trice a Whig from Mc- 
Nairy Co. were the only persons who would approach Alexander on 
that subject. That the matter was a profound secret. 

Went home and read Miss Frederica Bremer's Neighbors, and 
wrote up this Journal. In the afternoon, felt so low spirited and 
unwell, and so much want of nervous excitement, I made Laura, 
Ellen's girl, make me a strong cup of coffee. It did me good. 
I dined with Mr. Rawlings and Cousin Jane, and a Mr. Davis of 
Mississippy, who had spent the summer at the Harrodsburg Springs, 
Kentucky. 

In the afternoon rode out in carriage with Houston and Dudley 
Woodward on Franklin Turnpike beyond Westwood, the residence 

"A. O. P. Nicholson, of Columbia, appointed United States Senator by Polk to 
fill the unexpired term of Felix Grundy, who died December 19, 1840. 

2*Ephraim H. Foster, Bell's rival for the leadership of the Whigs. Foster and 
Spencer Jarnigan had been the leading Whig candidates to fill the Senatorship in 
1841-1842. 

^The group of Whig leaders at Nashville. Jealousy of the influence of Nash- 
ville is found much earlier. Cf. Polk-Johnson Letters, p. 212. 



Laughlin Diaries 

of the late Robert Woods the banker. Returned by my old residence 
in South Field, where I had lived from March 1832 to July or June, 
1837, and which I sold to Park and Erskine — and by Sulphur Springs 
home. Took up Maj. Loving at the Port Hill going to Spring, and 
all took hearty drink of the water. . . , The country about 
Westwood and Waverly greatly improved since I saw it last, seven 
years ago. Saw in the suburbs of the town, negroes and white 
persons, men and boys, engaged in all kinds of idle sports, playing 
marbles, etc. and beyond Sulphur Springs in a lot, near Mr. Kizer's 
place called Economy, saw a set of men and boys in a lot, engaged in 
a regular boxing match, with a ring formed. Such things do not 
take place in our country villages — McMinnville would be disgraced 
by such scenes. Saw a great many people riding out in carriages. 
Nashville is an extravagant place. We passed by McEwen's splendid 
establishment in the South Field. He is the man, who, as Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction robbed the Common School Fund of 
upwards of $100,000, and was detected, and not re-elected, in 1839-40. 
He is now contending at law in the Supreme Court against the re- 
covery of the money abstracted from him and securities, O. B. Hayes 
being one of them.^ — In our ride I pointed out to Mr. Woodward 
and Houston where the recruits and troops were stationed in canton- 
ment during the last war, where I spent several social evenings with 
Maj. Peacock in 1814. It is beyond and near Westwood in a Hill on 
the east side of the road, near a Spring three miles from the Public 
Square in town. Those were boyish and happy days — I was then 
18 or twenty rather in constitution — having been born Washington 
County, Virginia, May 1, 1796. — How time passes. My visits to 
Nashville in 1813-14, and an attack of fever I had in the latter year, 
in which I was attended by the late Dr. Newnan, seem as of yester- 
day! How short is the journey of life from infancy to old age! 
While in our teens, life seems, like time, to pass too slow. Although 
the journey, when we have passed the meridian seems to have been 
short, yet how many evils, disappointments, and changes we have to 
pass through, and how various the roads by which different individ- 
uals pass it. No two travel precisely the same path. 

Saw Gov. Carroll after supper and a number of friends visited 
him. Not enough in number, however, to go into a caucus consulta- 
tion. Learned from Maj. Trott that Col. A. R. Alexander of Shelby 
was unwilling to be taken up and voted for by the Democrats of the 
House as Speaker. It was understood to-day, that the Whigs in 
Caucus last night, had selected Baringer of Bedford as their candi- 
date for Speaker of the House. The parties in the Assembly stand — 
in the House, 40 Whigs, 35 democrats; in Senate, 14 Whigs, 11 dem- 
ocrats. One of each party it is expected will be absent at meeting 
tomorrow. — Marr of Obion, dem. and Carson of Jefferson, Whig. 

Went to bed, and read myself to sleep in Miss Frederica Bremer's 
Neighbors, translated by Mary Howitt, the Quakeress. 

Monday, Oct. 2, 1843. 

At an early hour, about 9 o'clock A. M. the Senators began to 
assemble in the Senate Chamber, and at about 10 oclk. were called to 
order — Gen. Cocke in the chair. All the members were in attendance 
as follows: 

N. H. Allen of Montgomery, Whig; Josiah M. Anderson of Ma- 
rion, Whig; H. Bradbury of Henderson, Whig; J. Cocke of Grainger, 
Whig; P. Critz of Hawkins, Democrat; W. Cullom of Smith, Whig; 
W. J. Davis of Marshall, Democrat; J. F. Farrington of Shelby, 
Whig; J. A. Gardner of Weakley, Democrat; B. Gordon of Hickman, 

^A partisan statement of a matter which, whatever the facts, was strongly col- 
ored by party feeling. 



Documents 

Democrat; J. W. Harris of Tipton, Whig; J. F. Henry of Blount, — ; 
T. R. Jennings of Davidson, Whig; S. H. Laughlin of Warren, 
Democrat; W. L. Martin of Wilson, Whig; J. R. Nelson of Knox, 
Whig; A. O. P. Nicholson of Maury, Democrat; R. W. Powell of 
Carter, Democrat; J. Ross of Anderson, Whig; W. T. Ross of Lin- 
coln, Democrat; V. Sevier of Carroll, Whig; W. H. Sneed of Ruther- 
ford, Whig; G. W, Torbitt of Monroe, Democrat; S. Turney of White, 
Democrat; and Jac. Voorhies of Dickson, Democrat. 

Mr. Anderson of Marion vi^as elected Speaker, being nominated 
by Mr. Nelson. Mr. Ross of L. put Mr. Nicholson in nomination, and 
he was voted for by the Democrats. 

Mr. John Cocke, Jr., grandson of Gen. J. Cocke the Senator, was 
elected principal clerk over Jacob A. Lane of White, and D. Wendel 
of Rutherford. 

Kirkpatrick, nephew of Senator Ross of A. was elected Assistant 
elk over a crowd of others. In the end the Democrats nearly all 
voted for' him, expecting, according to an arrangeemnt made by Mr. 
Critz, to thereby obtain Senator Ross' vote for Mr. Miller Francis 
for Treasurer. 

John Sevier of Tipton was elected Doorkeeper over Hays Arnold 
of White and many others. He is a brother of Senator Sevier of C. 

I introduced resolutions to locate the Seat of Government at the 
centre of the State, or nearest suitable site thereto, having due re- 
gard to health and public convenience, and to appoint three commis- 
sioners by the General Assembly, one to reside in each grand division 
of the state, whose duty it should be to "designate and fix" the site 
of the seat of Government, according to the second section of the 
schedule of the constitution of 1834-5. 

Mr. Nelson introduced a bill in blank, of a few lines, designating 
and fixing the seat of government at blank town, in blank County. 
By the rules of the last Assembly, which we had adopted until others 
were formed, this bill passed its first reading without objection. 

In the evening saw Maj. Trott, and agreed to see Messrs. Glenn 
and W. H. Polk of the House, which I did, for the purpose of getting 
them to vote for Mr. Wade of DeKalb for Assistant Clerk in the 
House. Saw them and they agreed to do. This was in the night. 
Then went and saw Ex Governor Polk who had just arrived at the 
Nashville Inn. Saw him, Col. Alvan Cullom, Mr. Eastman, editor 
of the Knoxville Argus, Mr. Gardner etc. together at W. H. Polk's 
room. Talked over our defeat in the late election. Eastman agreed 
with me that the bank question'"^ was the great cause. Gov. Polk 
thought it was this, and the divisions among our friends in local 
elections that beat us, aided by fraudulent voting. Saw a letter dur- 
ing the day from Hon. Cave Johnson to Mr. Nicholson, in which he 
urged the necessity of passing a law to prevent frauds in elections 
in future. Went home late, and wrote to my father and daughter 
Mary by Anthony who was to leave in the morning for McM — . . . 

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 1843. 

. . . Started Anthony home with bacon and sugar — things for 
Mrs. Batey — wrote to Dr. Smartt and Mary, or sent letter to her, 
written last night and to father. 

Senate met at 9 oclock. Mr. Nelson called up his bill in blank for 
fixing the seat of Government, and it was passed in blank, as to 
place, a second time. Sub silentio. The House elected its officers in 
the course of the day, and after the customary messages had passed 
between the Houses, a joint committee waited on the Governor, of 

''The Bank of Tennessee, charlerd in 1837- 1838, became a football of state 
politics. 



Laughlin Diaries 

whom W. Cullom was one on part of Senate, and directly afterwards 
the Message came in, and such a message. It is highly violent and 
partisan in its character, abounding in falsehoods. 

We had a meeting of Democratic members at Gen. Carrolls in 
^e evening — Mr. Boddie of Sumner presided. Messrs. Nicholson, 
Trott, Milligan, Anderson, Glenn and Fisher were appointed a com- 
mittee with authority to call future meetings, and to see whether 
propositions would not be made to take up candidates of the Whig 
party in East and West Tennessee — to be made by Whigs — perhaps 
by friends of Col. A. R. Alexander and Joseph L. Williams, to be 
run against Foster and Jarnagin, or the regular Whig nominees. 
They were to acsertain and see if such an anti Foster and Jarnagin 
ticket could be formed, bringing which votes enough [sic] to enable 
It to carry with aid of all the democratic votes. Mr. Huddleston of 
Overton, and Mr. Bobo of Coffee expressed doubts, whether they 
could vote for Whigs, even as a choice between evils. Mr. Nicholson 
said he had always thought until lately that he could vote for Whigs 
in no event; but to effect defeat Foster he would vote for a Whig 
less objectionable. Mr. Gordon said same — so did Mr. Fisher, Mr. 
Glenn and others. I was decidedly in favor of doing so. Mr. Turney 
would go with majority, but he thought it best, to let the Whigs 
take their own course — elect their men, and then instruct them out. 
No vote, as to what we would do, took place. 

Houston went to theatre. I came home late from the meeting 
and, as usual, read myself to sleep, at 11 oclock in the Neighbours. 

It was thought best not to stir seat of Government question in the 
meeting, as there were Democrats present, in favor of Nashville. 
This was agreed by myself, Trott, Nicholson, and W. H. Polk— out 
at door, before meeting was called to order. 

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1843. 
. . . In the course of the day, after voting on inserting the 
name of a towri for the seat of bill, and mendment [sic-] offerld by 
Mr. Harris of Tipton, finally passed the bill with the name of 
Kingston, - in the County of Roane, inserted on motion of Mr. Torbitt 
— and sent it to the House, where it passed one reading 
XT ^," m'?^ evening saw Gov. Polk, who is in favor of removal from 
Nashville, and sent Mr. Powell to see him, so that Polk might talk 
at him on the subject. Met Maj. M. G. Reeves at Gov. Polk's room. 
Sent him to obtain a pledge from the Whig Delegation of Rutherford, 
that they would vote for a Senator in each of the East and West 
Divisions, against Foster and Jarnagin, if seat of Government was 
removed, which pledge I suppose he will obtain. Saw Dr. Richardson 
^? ^u <^: J^o.^*' who agreed that amendment, proposing the Center 
of the State in lieu of Kingston, to Senates bill in House, was the 
proper move. W. H. Waterson, Gen. Smartt, and Trott agreed that 
the amendment must be moved by Mr. Baringer of Bedford the 
woufd be best^ ^^^ought of Richardson, but agreed that the above 

Agreed with Mr. Sneed to prepare the amendment, and have it 
ready. ' "«vc it 

Found Mr Powell talking with Gen. Wilson, Speaker of the 
Senate of North Carolina, at Nash. Inn. on subject of the Presidency 
and Vice Presidency. Dont know result. Went home and wrote part 
of a letter to Editor of Central Gazette at McMinnville, givine an 
account of progress of events here, and of seat of Government Ques- 

a^One session of the Assembly had been held in this town in 1807. 



Documents 

Went to bed and read Miss Bremer's Neighbours — account of 
Bruno being known by, and acknowledged by his brother Lars Andres. 
Either Miss Bremer, or Mrs. Howitt, or both, have the full un- 
sophisticated feelings and hearts of nature. Hence the ability to 
portray characters of Mrs. Fraziska Werner, Lars, and Serena. 
There is great power displayed in writing of music — its effects — 
what it really is, and drawing character of Bruno. . . . 

Thursday Oct. 5, 1843. 
Rose early, but unrefreshed. Took walk to sulphur spring, with 
Maj. Loving and Maj. Bobo of Coffee. Met Mr. Garner of Franklin 
and Mr. Fisher of Fayette at the spring. Drank freely of water, 
determined by drinking, early rising and exercising to be prepared 
for sleep tonight — if I can get to bed early. 

In the House, the Seat of Government Bill pased a second reading, 
without opposition with Kingston in it as the site. The friends of 
removal from Nashville deemed this the most prudent course, and 
best way to hasten final, action. Attempted to have an evening 
meeting of. Democratic members, at PostofRce; but room being out of 
order, and Gen. Armstrong having been ill (as I have been some- 
times) and just getting well — the meeting was adjourned to Mr. 
Ross' room at Crockett's. The meeting was pretty full; but we 
could not all agree to vote for Whigs for U. S. Senate in East and 
West to defeat Foster and Jarnagin. Davis of Marshall, Body of 
Sumner, and some other member expressed a determination to vote 
for no Whig for any possible purpose for Senator. I think Mr. 
Turner of Sumner was the other man. On motion of Powell of 
Carter, and on my suggestion of the proper men, Miller of Harden- 
man, and Glenn of Tipton were appointed a committee to ascertain 
how many Whig votes a candidate for Senator of that party, in 
opposition to Foster, could get in W. District. — Dr. Kenny of Wash- 
ington thought J. L. Williams, Reece, Gen. Cocke, or McDermot of 
East Tennessee, all Whigs, could bring some Whig votes in opposition 
to Jarnagin. — Maj. Trott tried, on a motion, to ascertain how many 
Democrats would vote for Central location of Seat of Government in 
order to obtain Whig votes in Middle Tennessee to defeat Foster and 
Jarnagin, but nothing definite was elicited^' 

In the course of the meeting, Mr. G. W. Jones of Lincoln, and 
Col. H. Yoakum of Rutherford, on being called out, addressed the 
meeting. Both were for uniting on any other Whigs who could 
bring votes to defeat Foster and Jarnagin. 

Mr. Jones stated that he was a member of the Tennessee Senate 
in 1839-40 when Senators were to be elected, and that a Whig had 
proposd to him, that if a democrat, other than the late Felix Grundy 
would then suffer himself to be brought forward by a minority of 
his party, that the whole 44 Whig votes which were in both Houses 
of that Assembly would be cast for such democrat against Mr. 
Grundy for U. S. Senator, — after first voting, on first ballot for a 
candidate of their own party. 

I cam home late, found Mr. Woodward and Houston in bed, and 
went to bed immediately — having walked home with Messrs. Voorhies 
and Wiley. The former expressed a hope that Whig Senators might 
yet be defeated. Trott and myself doubted, as we were last to part. 
He had made his motion in meeting at my suggestion, as Nicholson, 
who was to see Ready, as friend of Rutherford delegation, desired it. 

"An excellent illustration of state log-rolling. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Friday morning, Sept, lsic'\ 6, 1843. 

Got up early to make arrangements for Houston to leave for Hick- 
ory Hill. Wrote to father — Ford the editor and requested Ford to 
publish and preserve the letter — Sent documents to Dr. Gowen, C. P. 
Alexander and others — and to J. L. Byars, Jas. Webb, Harold Byars 
and others McMinnville. He started after breakfast against my 
wish as it had been raining and was cloudy. Went to Senate, but 
nothing done of interest. Nelson consulted me on repealing, or 
modifying Bowie knife prohibition law. As I went to Senate, I men- 
tioned to Gen. Smartt, that I regretted that we had held meeting — 
that it was against what I had always advised, as far as seat of 
Government question was concerned. Wrote letter to Wm. Cummins 
Esq of Cannon to send by Squire Bates, and informed him of the 
state of the seat of G. question; and enclosed him a Governor's 
message for Robert Bailey — endorsing on it that it was poor, and 
lied and misrepresented. Saw Chancellor Bramblett at Mr. Kizer's 
store when Senate adjourned and I came to dinner — said he could 
not electioneer for re-election — was indisposed to do it, had to hold 
his Courts til 1st Dec. and that electioneering did no accord with his 
taste. Col. T. H. Cahal is his competitor — a poor shoate — my mind 
is made up to vote for Bramblett. 

In the House, after all manner of shuffling, scuffling, and voting 
for local places and centre of the State — proposed by speaker Barin- 
ger — and reconsidering, the blank was at last filled with Nashville. 
While the centre was in and pending a motion to reconsider, the 
House adjourned to meet at 7 P. M. and have a night session. We 
met accordingly, when Messrs. Sherrell of Bledsoe, Rodgers of 
White, etc., and other Whigs deserted and went over to Nashville. 
The bill was finally passed for Nashville. The above deserters and 
Coggin of DeKalb voting for Nashville. For this day and nights 
work, see the Journal. Mr. Kizer came home after I had left the 
House and given up hope. T found Mr. Woodward abed and asleep. 
Missed Houston, and on making Harry light a candle when Mr. K. 
came home, I read account of reconciliation between ma chere m.ere 
and Bruno at Ramum in the Neighbours of Miss Bremer which I have 
not yet got through. Wished myself at home with my old father, 
mother and boys — Felt the most melancholly anxiety about my mother 
— felt that I was like one with little of future hope in this world, 
if I should have soon to add her loss to my other bereavements. 
Committed all to hands of God, and got, by an effort, to sleep. 

Saturday, Oct. 7, 1843. 

After trying sleep, rose early and anxious about the pending ques- 
tion of Seat of Government. Was uneasy on the question of concur- 
rence with the House. Knew they had passed the bill in favor locating 
at Nashville. Went to Senate before the hour of meeting. As soon 
as the morning business was through, and before any message could 
come from the House, moved in full Senate, as a test question, to take 
up my resolutions offered on the first day of the Session for locating 
at the geographical centre of the State, or nearest suitable site. By 
a test vote, my motion was lost by a vote of 13 to 12. 

Mr. Sneed then introduced a resolution for fixing it by vote of 
the people, putting places in nomination, and on second election taking 
the two places having highest number of votes, etc. Voted for sus- 
pending rule so as to allow it to be considered then, without lying one 
day on the table as the rule required. We were voted down. The 
Houses amendment to our bill, by which that body had fixed upon 
Nashville was brought, and taken up, Mr. Gardner moved to concur. 



Documefits 

I made a speech against concurrence, and Mr. Nelson of Knox replied. 
Mr. Sneed addressed a short speech to mine. Nelson's speech was 
vulgar and rude, in his usual vein of vulgar wit without facts or 
arguments. He was clapped twice in the lobby overflowing with 
Nashville Whigs. I will publish my speech. The question was then 
had on amendments offered in succession by Mr. Sneed and myself, in 
favor of central location. These were out of order on a question 
of concurrence, but the friends of Nashville, with slight objection from 
Gen. Cocke, and one or two others, the Speaker deciding them in 
order, took no appeal, and our amendments were voted down. The 
question of concurrence was then taken, and the friends of removal 
having lost all hope, the House's amendment was concurred in by the 
vote stated below.* I ought to have noted first, however, that before 
the vote was taken, Mr. Nicholson moved to strike Nashville and insert 
Columbia, which was lost, I voting for it. See the Journal as to these 
votes. 

The night before the final vote was taken in the House, and while 
we hoped the centre would carry there, Mr. Nicholson and myself had 
ascertained and obtained pledges of our political friends, ready to 
sacrifice all local preference and even themselves, that they would 
unite with us, so as, with our own votes to concur in Senate with an 
amendment from the House fixing the centre, or nearest suitable place 
within ten miles thereof, by a vote of 13 to 12, and so it would have 
been decided, if it had so come to us on Friday night, or this morning 
— but all our prospects were blighted by desertion of Whigs in the 
House, by which Nashville was inserted and now our friends here, had, 
in justice to themselves to take such course as would save themselves, 
and be, as they supposed, most in conformity with the supposed will 
of their constituents. The deserters in the House, were, Daniel Cog- 
gin of DeKalb, Gen. Rodgers of White, Fentress of VanBuren, Craven 
Sherill of Bledsoe, Rawlins of Hamilton and Marion Humphreys of 
Monroe. 

After the bill was finally passed. Senate adjourned. It rained 
all day. In evening saw Gen. Smartt and Col. Spurlock about to leave; 
and Mr. Geo. Glascock, and Mr. W. West, with whom I talked, and 
both of whom understood the whole matter as I did — that it was owing 
to Whig desertion. Gov. Jones and E. H. Foster had both been busy 
for several days. I have no doubt of their being the cause of the 
desertions. Will the Whigs of Warren, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb and 
Rutherford stand this! Time will show. I sent some documents in 
the course of the day. Wrote the day before to Maj. Lamberson, [?] at 
Liberty, and at night visited my friends Ross of L. Nicholson and 
Voorhies at Crocketts in Company with Mr. Powell of C. We all 
agreed that Powell must get Torbett to stand with us, as Nicholson 
and Voorhies agreed to do, and compel the Whigs to elect U. S. Sena- 
tors by concurrent vote, or pass a law in conformity with the power 
conferred by the constitution of the U. S. Art. Sec." 

Went home and read nearly through the "Neighbors." I think Mr. 
[sic"] Bremer intends to portray character of Lord Byron in her Bruno 
Mansfield, and in Ma chere mere, the character Lady Byron, Lord 
Byron's mother. The idea of these must at least have been in Miss 
Bremer's head. 

Thought of home, and felt pained at not receiving a letter as this 

*Fof concurrence — Allen, Bradbury, Cocke, Cullom, Farrington, Gardner, Gordon, 
Harris, Henry, Jennings, Martin, Nelson, Powell, Ross of A. Sevier, Torbett, Voor- 
hies — 17. Against concurrence — Critz, Davis, Laughlin, Nicholson, Ross of L. Sneed, 
Turney and Speaker Anderson — 8. [Note in original.] 

3*Blank in Ms. 



Laughlin Diaries 

was the day the mail arrived from McMinnville. Hope for the best. 
. . . Wrote J. H. Roberts of Coffee, and other friends, stating our 
defeat. 

Vote in House. 

For Nashville — Bond of Haywood moved to fill blank — Alexander, 
Avery, Bledsoe, Bond, Bone, Brooks, Carson, Cheatham, Cherry, Cleve- 
land, Coggin, Cross of M. Crudup, Davenport, Duggan, Edwards, 
Eubank, Goodall, Goode, Hamilton, Hodsden, Houston, Humphreys, 
Jordon, Lenoir, Moore, Moorman, Morris, Morrow, Nave, Rawlings, 
Rach, Sherrel, Trice, Trimble, Turner, Tyler, Walker of W. Wheeler, 
Williams and Wyly— 43. 

Against Nashville — Anderson, Black, Bobo, Burrus, Cross of S. 
Crouch, Bearing, Farquharson, Fisher, Garner, Glenn, Gordon, Hord, 
Huddleston, Hughes, Kenney, Lauderdale, McGinnis, Maury, Miller, 
of H. Miller of M. Milligan, Polk Richardson, Rodgers, Smartt, Trott, 
Turney, Walker of H. Wann and Speaker Barringer. 

Rodgers voted against considering I believe. See Journal. 

Sunday, Oct. 8, 1843. 
In the morning felt tolerably refreshed, and after breakfast wrote 
up yesterdays journal. Went to House and Senate Chamber, and 
found no letter from home. Wished I could possess the even temper 
and philosophy of others — prayed that I might be able to submit to 
my lot in quietness and peace, and that with old Quarles, [sic\ I might 
hereafter be enable [d] cheerfully to find a 

Tongue in trees, books in running brooks. 
Sermons in stones, and good in everything. 

. . . Read conclusion of the Neighbours, and after dinner, 
walked with Mr. Woodward to Col. Park's, on College Hill, and was 
there introduced to Dr. Dilliard of Sumpter, Alabama, who was in 
bad health. Came home, and wrote to my father about the work to 
be done on my House by Mr. Purvis at Hickory Hill. Read some in 
Coopers Wyandotte, or Hutted Hill. , . . 

Monday, Oct. 9, 1843. 

Went to Senate Chamber immediately after breakfast. I had seen 
Wm. Smartt in market in morning. He left home on Friday, and 
could give me no information as to the health of my mother. Sup- 
p[os]ed, he said, that rain prevented Dr. Smartt from writing. 

In Senate resolution to bring on Senatorial election on 13th inst. 
was taken up. On motion of Mr. Nicholson, time was changed to 
20th instant by party vote, except Cocke and Farringdon voted with 
the democracy. On passage of the resolution, or on question of adop- 
tion, I made some remarks, and asked that its passage should be post- 
poned until the bill prescribing the mode of electing U. S. Senators, 
introduced by Mr. Gardner could be passed — that the Whigs having a 
majority, might amend and pass it in form acceptable to themselves; 
but that if they would not I feared we might by possibility have a 
recurrence of the party strife we had in the Senate in 1841.'' That 
other states had passed laws, our parent state N. Carolina for in- 
stance — and that if a law could be passed, I would hope for a har- 
monious session, and that we could come up to the great subjects — 

'"■Thq bitter fight over the election of two Senators to which reference is made 
in the Introduction. 



Documents 

state debt, judiciary etc, free of p.arty feelings. Nelson and Cullom 
replied — Gardner and Ross spoke, then Sneed — Powell, Harris, Jen- 
nings, etc. 

I moved the adjournment at noon which carried without the ques- 
tion on the resolution being taken. 

In the morning Mr. Gardner had introduced a Bill for having only 
two Circuit Courts a year in Western Division. On its passage with- 
out opposition, I gave notice that I had a Bill in preparation, embrac- 
ing the whole State, containing the same provision, under which I 
hoped the number of Judges might be reduced greatly to the benefit 
of the public service, and the saving of money. 

Before dinner wrote to Van Pelt of the Memphis Appeal, and 
Col. A. A. Kincannon of Columbus, Mississippi on the subject of 
Presidency and Vice Presidency — urging that Polk should be taken 
up for the latter by the press and people — that he should be nomi- 
nated by our State Convention in November — that the Tennessee 
delegation should go to N. Convention supporting his claims, and un- 
committed as to Presidential candidate, but committed to abide its 
nomination — that no nomination for the Presidency ought to be made 
in our State Convention.'" Told them, that if Gov. Polk should be on 
our ticket next fall, with Van Buren, or any good democrat, we could 
beat Clay, McLean or Scott; but without Polk's name we would be 
beaten and tied down in federal chains in Tennessee for the next six 
or ten years. Wrote to Maj. T. P. Moore, Harodsburg, Ky. the same 
substance as to Kincannon. ... ' 

During the day, Mr. Topp, brother of R. Topp of Memphis, applied 
to me in confidence, to know if I would support his brother R. T. for 
U. S. Senator against Jarnagin — told him it was possible. 

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1843. 

. . . Went to Senate Chamber early, and wrote letters to W. 
H. Conlior, to Gen. Patton at Woodbury — introduced Bill to reduce 
the Number of Circuits and Judges, and providing that the Circuit 
Court should sit but twice a year, unless special terms should become 
necessary in particular Courts; and I also introduced Resolution direct- 
ing the Judiciary Committee to examine and report on the above 
subjects, but also into the expediency of curtailing salaries, costs and 
expenses in administration of justice by the Circuit Courts. 

This was the day of the Great Peyton Stakes race out at the 
tract. Many members went out. I did not. Wrote to L. N. Ford and 
son Houston at McMinnville — Letter to Ford for publication — that 
that to Houston being one of affection and advice. . . . 

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1843. 

Attended the Senate early. In the course of the day sent sundry 
documents to friends, and among others, the Banner containing my 
remarks on the Senatorial question, and the Whig containing my re- 
marks on seat of Govt. Question, both imperfect reports, to my friend 
Col. Rob. L. Ferrell of West Fork P. O. Overton Co. and the Banner 
to my father. 

In the evening the resolution was passed, variously amended, for 
bringing on elections of U. S. Senators on 17th_by Convention of the 
two Houses. (See Journal.) I voted against it because the election 
for longest term — from expiration of Gen. Alex. Anderson's term on 
4th March, 1841, was to be brought on first — and election to fill re- 
mainder of Grundy's term, ending 4th March 1845, was to be brought 
on next. This arrangement would cut the democracy out of all power 

'"This was the plan actually carried out. See Polk-Johnson Letters, p. 229. 



Laughlin Diaries 

in exercising a proper choice in choosing between Mr. Bell, Mr. Topp, 
Mr. Jarnagin and others. While the resolution was pending, a de- 
bate sprung up in Senate, brought on by Mr. Voorhies, in "defining 
his position", in which Messrs. Nelson, Farrington, Harris, and Ross, 
of L. and I believe Cocke and CuUom participated. — Wrote Gov. Yell 
of Ark. 

In the evening, Maj. Loving and myself made a visit to Col. Park 
on College Hill. Park and Loving (the last being an admirable per- 
former) favored Maj. Doxey (a gentleman of Sumner) and the com- 
pany with music on the violin. Coming home nearly got a wetting 
by rain in stopping by the way to see Steamer Cumberland go off in 
the night. . . . 

. . . Talked with Mr. H. Van Pelt in the course of the day 
on subject of Presidency and Vice Presidency in prospect, and with 
Mr. Hickerson of Wilkes, N. C. and urged claims of Gov. Polk for 
latter. 

Thursday, Oct. 12, 1843. 

. . . Went back to Senate — wrote letter to Gov. Polk, and par- 
ticipated in discussion of Mr. Davis' Bill to restore Ca. Sa^^ law re- 
pealed at last Session. Messrs. Cullom and Sneed offered amendments. 
Harris, Sneed and Cullom participated in debate. I declared myself 
against restoring the writ — not being willing that the flesh and blood 
of freemen should ever be held in pledge for debt or money — but pledg- 
ing myself to go for any measure gentlemen might propose more 
effectually to reach fraud. I complimented Mr. Powell and Dr. Peyton 
of Sumner (now a member of Congress elect) both present for their 
support of law repealing Ca.Sa law at last session. 

Wrote home to my father, and informed him that I would want 
Houston to return here with his mare in time for me to ride to Coffee 
Circuit Court by 4th Monday; also to hurry the work on my home, 
and that no papering need be done. Wrote to^have mother carefully 
nursed, and for Mary to write me every mail. Dated my letter, writ- 
ten late at night, as of tomorrow morning, and went to Post Office with 
it, and there conversed with Gen. Armstrong on subject of Senatorial 
election. I informed him that Whigs intended to fill two unexpired 
terms, and also a new term from 4th March 1845. In course of day 
wrote to Gov. Polk at Columbia, as I had done to Gov. Yell of Ark — 
and of contents of my letters. In evening was restless and on going 
to bed, could not go to sleep early, but read Hutted Knoll until 11 
o'clock, Mr. Woodward being asleep. . . . 

Friday, Oct. 13, 1843. 

Felt tolerably refreshed in morning, and after a slight breakfast, 
went to Senate. Little done, except to adjourn to House to finish 
counting votes for Gov. When it was found that Jones true majority 
over Polk was 3833. By resolution offered by Mr. Boddie, the un- 
official return from Sumner was added which produced the above 
result. Miller of Hardeman informed me that Whigs had held a 
caucus last night at Dr. Jennings office — result of course not known 
to democracy. Saw the Journal of yesterday, that my motion to 
print 500 copies of Penitentiary report, was reducing the usual num- 
ber, being 1000, moved by Cullom, one half. In the morning got the 
Albany Argus, and several St. Louis papers from Union Office, but 
have no heart or time to read newspapers. 

Wrote letter to Wm. H. Judkins of DeKalb by Mr. Brien, who was 
to leave in the stage in the night. Commissioned Mr. Woodward to 

"''Capias ad satisAciendum. 



Documents 

buy me some domestic and linnen to make shirts — they were to be 
neatly made at 50 cents a piece. 

At night . . . Saw some friends at City Hotel, and Mr. Trous- 
dale at Union Hall, kept by Joe Brown, and talked over coal trade of 
the Up-Cumberland river country with him. Went home and to bed 
before 9 o'clock, but did not sleep til late hour, lighted candle and read 
Cooper's Hutted Knoll, which I had in the evening, promised to lend 
to a young man named [ Y^ who is reporting Senate's pro- 

ceedings for Banner and the Whig. . . . 

Saturday, Oct. 14, 1843. 

. . . Nicholson reported, as chairman of Com. of Ways and 
Means, Bill with amendments for abolishing office of Superintendent 
of Public Instruction — providing that all duties of the office should be 
transferred (not to President of Bank of Tenn.) but to the Comp- 
troller of the Treasury, and that no additional pay should be given 
to that officer for a discharge of the said new duties, than he now 
receives by law — all of which I voted for. 

Reed letter from Gov. Polk, and a No. of the Charleston (S. C.) 
Mercury, of the 30th Sept. 1843 — mentioning Gov. P.'s claims for the 
Vice Presidency — speaking in his praise etc. — Saw Dr. Kenney of 
Washington in the evening who informed Judge Miller and myself 
that he was daily getting information of the Whig movements in 
Caucus, on the subject of U. S. Senators, from Craven Sherrill of 
Bledsoe, and was to get a report next Monday. He urged us, however 
to be secret. 

In the evening I read conclusion of Hutted Knoll, and then Web- 
ster's speech at the late agricultural fair at Rochester, N. York, in 
which he speaks of protecting agriculture by legislation; and com- 
pares and contrasts agriculture or farming and planting interests — ■ 
the first being peculiar to the Middle and Northern States — the last 
to the south. The first he considers of greatest importance to human 
happiness — the greatest number of people. Read also Jos. R. Inger- 
soU's answer to a call from a portion of his constituents of Philadel- 
phia on the slavery question, and on propriety of amending the con- 
stitution of the U. S. so as to give power to Congress to abolish 
slavery. He is averse to such an amendment. I will insert these two 
documents in my Scrap Book, No. 2. . . . 

Sunday, Oct. 15, 1843. 
In the morning felt tolerably well. In the course of the day, read 
Sunday articles in various newspapers; but read none in books. 
Walked about town. To Landing with Loving, where we saw Capt. 
Horn and Mr. Harris the painter. They were examining the Steamer 
Tallyrand — and spoke of what Anthony Johnson, and others had 
smuggled under bankrupt law. Afterward in my rambles saw old 
Nancy and Ned — each with their husband and wife, occupy little ten- 
nements, and although old and crippled, are, doubtless, happier than 
I am. . . , 

Monday, Oct. 16, 1843. 
Rose well, and went to market to buy sacks. Bought some squir- 
rels. Went to Senate early. Mr. Kizer and Dr. Moore of Alabama 
came up. Sent by Dr. Mo. to his brother Dr. D. Moore Journals of the 
called Session, 1842, of the Genl Assembly — Acts of same Session, and 
Comptrollers Report, and Governor's Message to this session. — Mr. 
Nicholson showed me letter to himself from Harvey M. Waterson, 

38BIaiik in Ms. 



Laughlin Diaries 

dated New York Oct 6th 1843, marked Inter nos, in which he strongly 
urges the impolicy of running Mr. Van Buren for President in the 
next election, though he says he is his preference if he could be 
elected. Says the Van Buren party intend to give Polk the go by as 
to a nomination for the Vice Presidency. Says Johnson will be the 
man — that he met Col. Johnson at Washington lately, and he says 
he is not candidate for the Vice Presidency but for first office — that 
he has written so to many persons who are at liberty to publish — 
that if the Vice Presidency is pushed on him, that then will be the 
time to consider and act when contingency happens in convention — 
sayg he also saw R. B. Rhett, who says that if things go on as they 
are going, that Calhoun's friends may be driven to secede from the 
convention, and leave the nomination to others — that in that event, 
Calhoun will not run, nor will his friends vote in election Without 
naming him, he (Mr. W.) speaks of Cass as being most available. 
Says that in passing through Georgia, S. Carolina, N. Carolina and 
Virginia lately, he finds opinion prevalent, that Van Buren is not 
available — though his friends in Georgia, opposed to Calhoun threaten 
in hundreds not to go to the polls in the pending State election, and 
thereby let the Clay Whigs beat the Calhoun democracy. (This has 
actually happened as the newspapers of this morning here, and news 
by last two southern mails show us here.) — Mr. W. says he is just on 
the point of sailing in a U. S. Ship bound for the Pacific, as a Com- 
mercial Agent to Buenos Ayres — South America. — Went to Silk Com- 
pany's Exhibition in Federal Court room, when Senate adjourned at 
11 o'clock until 3 o'clock P. M. . . . 

Wrote to Nancy Laughlin, Holmes Co. Mississippi. Maj. Led- 
better requested me to say all well in Rutherford. She is the widow 
of my brother John, and has two children, Adriana, nearly grown, and 
John a posthumous son of my brother. I informed her of all my 
family misfortunes since she went to Mississippi. 

Ate a very light supper, and after conversing sometime with 
Col. Adrian Northcutt, who was on his way to Clarksville to sell pork, 
and with Mr. Kincannon who came with him, I went to bed early. 

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1843. 

Got up soon, and on going down, met Col. Northcut, and went with 
him to Mr. Sam Turney's room at Thomas', College Street. He wanted 
to take Turney's deposition to be read in suit at Woodbury. 

Senate met early. Wrote to Gov. C. C. Clay, of Alabama, about 
the condition of parties here — stating who wishing [sic'\ to be Sena- 
tors — that Crittenden as Clay's Ambassador had been here — that 
Whigs would probably elect 3 Senators, Foster being one at all 
events — and urged prospects of Gov. Polk for Vice President. I told 
him we would not, I expected, nominate any candidate for President 
at our approaching state convention in Nov. next — but that we would 
press Polk's claims. Told him Gov. Yell, as I believed, favored 
Polk's claims — that we would be happy here if he (Gov. Clay) con- 
curred in our ciews. Told him if Col. Johnson should be thrust upon 
us again, the result would be same as in 1836, when we were Ruck- 
ered"" by Ned Rucker and Frank Blair. 

In the afternoon, by force of the previous question, in which Davis 
of Marshall voted with the Whigs, the Senatorial election was brought 
on, and Foster elected for remainder of Mr. Grundy's time (term) to 
4th March, 1845; and Jarnagin for balance of term which commenced 
at expiration of Gen. Alex. Anderson term (Anderson's being re- 

'•See Polk-Johnson Letters, p. 225, note 72. 



Documents 

mainder of Judge Whites term) which expired on 4th March, 1841. 
So Foster goes out 4th March '45, and Jarnagin, 4th March 1847. — 
When Foster was nominated, his election coming on first, I voted as 
did Mr. Nicholson, for Wm. Carroll, and when Jarnagin was nomi- 
nated, I, as did Nicholson, voted for John Blair of Jonesboro. The 
long agony of electing Senators is now over — but will the Whigs be 
content? They have ever shown themselves unwilling to trust the 
people. Will they not according to Sneed's move the other day, pro- 
ceed by force of their numbers, disregarding the constitution, and the 
people's rights in the next election, to elect another Senator, Bell or 
Foster, for a term of six years to commence on the 4th of March, 
1845? Time will show. 

Wrote to Ford of the Gazette what we have done. Rec'd letter 
from Dr. Smartt dated the 15th (Sunday) stating that my mother 
is no better. Opened my letter to C. C. Clay and informed him the 
Senators were elected in a postscript. Sent of documents to, and 
letter to Tom J. Williams of Cannon, by a Bostonian named Dascomb, 
who goes to Cannon Co. in the morning to look after some mountain 
land, 1400 acres, sold to some Boston mechanics. How the people 
in the East have been cheated in our pretended Grants for mountain 
land in Tennessee! Told D. that his employers I doubted not, were 
cheated. The 1400 acres purported to be part of a Grant for 5000 
acres — adjoinin gland of one Lane, on Beaver fork of Barren fork 
of Collin's river. Beaver Creek! There is no such creek in my 
knowledge. The documents sent to Williams, were Comptroller's re- 
port, and copies were sent to many of his neighbors. 

Sat up sometime at night, but engaged in no regular readingj 
Slept soon. 

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1843. 

In the morning wrote to Dr. Smartt and Mr. T. P. Argo, by W. H. 
Argo, requested Mary to relieve Sally in watching by, and in waiting 
on mother. Expressed my thankfulness to Sally in letter to Dr. 
Smartt. Requested Houston to come down by Saturday. Sent docu- 
ments to Ford (Compt. Rep.) to be distributed and some to McBroora 
and Ben Bates. 

Wrote to Col. Floyd the state of things here — Senatorial election — 
the wish of Whigs to elect another — and my position upon Taxation 
question. 

A. V. Brown, M.C. from Giles district, called on me when the 
Senate adjourned at 10 o'clock to attend funeral of Governor Jones 
child Hugh Lawson White, and I had much conversation about Presi- 
dency. He is of opinion, that if V. Buren, or his folks intend to give 
Polk the go by and deceive him, that we must then in N. convention, 
as our members of Congress will do at Washington, just let them know, 
that if they will take Polk for Vice President, we will take Van Buren ; 
if not, and they go for Col. Johnson, that then we will go for Cass.** 
I agreed that we ought to take this stand — and make no nomination 
for President in our approaching State Convention. He promised to 
write and keep me constantly advised of the state of things after he 
gets to Washington. He promised also, that he would get Maj. A. J. 
Donelson" to write to Mr. Silas Wright and others, putting them in 
possession of our views. 

Saw Mr. Brown again at the post office, at night, and was informed 
by Gen. Armstrong, that he and Brown had seen Donelson, who would 
devote tomorrow to writing letters as above. 

^'This threat of a movement for Cass later met with Polk's disapproval : Polk- 
Johnson Letters, p. 234. 

*'The nephew of Mrs. Andrew Jackson, later Minister to Texas. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Wrote in the evening to Gen. Shields and Maj. Morford that Maj. 
L. D. Mercer had sent a Bill to me and G. R. Smartt — the represen- 
tative from Warren — providing for the equal division of the Acad- 
emy Funds of Carroll Academy at McMinnville with the Edmondson 
Female Academy at same, and asking their advice, and assuring them 
that as a citizen I was willing to it, as friend of female education, 
but wished to do right, and what might be agreeable to all parties 
concerned. Asked them to confer with Mercer and advise me of what 
might be agreed upon. I also advised them that bill had been twice 
read and passed in Senate, but that I would proceed no further in it 
until I heard from them. 

Went to bed early, and without medicine, slept tolerably well. 
Voted for Bill in the evening for allowing poor families on pros- 
pective contracts, 5 sheep exempt from execution. 

Thursday, Oct. 19, 1843. 

Got up soon. After breakfast went to Senate Chamber, and pre- 
pared and, as member of the Judicial Com. report on my court bill, as 
ordered by Committee. The amendments reported, were in favor of 
two Circuit Courts annually — no reduction of present number of 
circuit, but reduction of the salaries of Circuit Judges from $1500 
to $1300 annually — and for special terms of the Courts where the 
business requires it. Report laid on table. This, I moved, that I 
might prepare and offer, when report is called up, amendments pro- 
posing to reduce the number of Judges, and Circuits, as well as sala- 
ries. 

Mr. Nicholson from Cam. of Ways and Means, made report in 
favor of general retrenchment. 

Jennings introduced a Bill, as a party move, to provide for paying 
deficit on state debt, by subtracting part of school and Academy money 
etc and moved its reference to Select Com. This would place him at 
head of Committee, so as to enable him to make a Bunkum report. 
I opposed the reference on the ground that the same subject was 
already before the Com. of Ways and Means, where this bill ought 
to be sent. This proper Com. etc. He withdrew his motion, and his 
bill is on the table, having passed without objection, by rules, on first 
reading. 

Reed letter from Hon. T. P. Moore, of Harrodsburg, Ky. in answer 
to mine of 9th. giving his views of Presidency and Vice Presidency. 
His letter is dated 14th inst. See it. 

Wrote to H. L. Turney, by T. H. Hopkins, who leaves in stage in 
morning to attend to my business at Court at Manchester (Coffee 
Co) on Monday next, and especially to attend to Hatfields case against 
McGowan. Enclosed to him a short note to Johnson Phillips about his 
case. Informed him that I could not leave here on account of Francis 
and Grahams elections — that he, with Mr. Hopkins, who is a can- 
didate here for Atto. Genl. in 13th Circuit, must save me with my 
clients. . . . 

Col. G. W. Sevier, through Mr. Jennings, sent in letter, donating 
his fathers sword, voted to him by N. Carolina to State. See Diary 
of tomorrow. 

Friday, Oct. 20, 1843. 
Got up early — finished letter of last night to Dr. Smartt. Gave my 
letters to Mr. Hopkins at Washington Hotel. Went to Senate Cham- 
ber, when Doorker brought in a letter from Dr. Smartt of Wednesday 
last, informing me that my mother appeared better. — Went in haste, 
and wrote a short reply of acknowledgment — and thanked him and 



Documents 

Sally for their attention to mother — and found Hopkins and gave it 
to him. 

Went back to Senate, and submitted my amendment to Circuit 
Court two terms Bill, in lieu of 1st section of amendment reported yes- 
terday by myself from Com. on Judiciary. This last amendment pro- 
vides for reduction of Circuits from 14 to ten — two terms annually, 
with special terms when necessary — and reduction of Judges salaries 
from $1500 to $1300. — The Bill to secure married women in their prop- 
erty, was passed 3rd. and last reading in Senate. Nelson of Knox 
submitted two answers in chancery from officers of Hiwassee Railroad 
Comp. to suit brought against them by Atto. Genl. in name of state. 
The papers were copies of answers — directed to no one here — and 
were perhaps intended to be imposed on the Genl. Assembly as an- 
swers to the Interrogatories of the Gen. Assembly, in my resolutions 
passed 5th January, 1842, and printed with acts of Session 1841-2. 
The papers were laid on the table. Had the Journal of yesterday 
corrected, so as to show, that it was on my motion, that letter of Col. 
G. W. Sevier, transmitting and donating to the state the sword voted 
to his father Gen. John Sevier by Gen. Assembly of N. Carolina, for 
his gallantry at Kings Mountain in Revolutionary war, was ordered 
to be enrolled on our Journal. 

The motion prevailed unanimously to receive sword, as did my 
motion, and also Dr. Jenning's resolve, as to the manner in which 
Col. Sevier should present the sword to the two Houses when hereafter 
met in Convention in the Hall of the House. 

At 11 Houses went into Convention to elect Registers for Mountain 
and Western Districts — Dick Nelson elected to first without opposition 
— Nine candidates were put in nomination for Register of the Western 
district 7 Whigs and 2 democrats. W. O. Butler, son of Dr. W. E. 
Butler of Jackson, and Maclin Cross, son of John B. Cross, who lives 
in McNairy, were the democrats. After voting a considerable, But- 
ler's name was withdrawn. 

The Senate finally adjourned without an election. 

Saturday, Oct. 21, 1843. 
Senate met, and but little done, until the hour of 10 came, when 
Houses were to meet in Convention to elect Register — and at 11 o'clock 
the Governor was to be Inaugurated in Hall of the House. Conven- 
tion met, and noted several times without making an election. A 
recess was then had of the Convention to prepare for the reception 
of the Governor elect, and inaugurate by administering to him the 
oath of office. When the Convention was called to order. His Excel- 
lency, James C. Jones, the Gov. elect,*'' accompanied by a joint com- 
mittee of the Houses, and by Rev. T. J. Wheat of the Episcopal Church, 
and by Chancellor Thos. L. Williams, came in, and by the Speaker, 
the Gov. Chancllor [sic'\ and Parson were conducted to seats near 
the Chair, the Chancellor being placed on the right, and the Parson 
on the left hand of the Gov. After a fervent prayer by Mr. Wheat, 
the Governor delivered a short speech — broached no new doctrine — 
declared no creed — avowed no set of principles — but referred to his 
inaugural speech of Oct. 1841 — and "reaffirmed and re-declared" the 
principles then avowed. He said those opinions would bear "the test 
of time and scrutiny of ages." This is an expressly l^sic"] borrowed and 
badly quoted from the conclusion of one of Mr. J. Q. Adams publica- 
tions against Mr. Clay about the fisheries and "adjourned question 
of veracity" between those great men. The old Inaugural of the 

""Governor-elect" for his second term. He defeated Polk both in 1841 and in 
1843- 



LaughUn Diaries 

Gov. of 1841, was, in a great portion of its expressions and positions 
borrowed from Gov. Polk's inaugural of 1839, and was proved by the 
publications of both in parallel columns in the N. Union in Oct. 1841. 

The inauguration was a poor affair. Old Gen. Gaines and lady, 
and Mrs. V. K. Stevenson came in just before the Gov. ceased speaking. 
The[y] heard only the "peroration of his noration" [^sicl — and no 
other ladies attended. No crowded lobbies testified that anything 
of moment was going on. The Gov. who is proud of his personal 
bearing, and is a vain dandy, appeared in a full suit of Tennessee 
manufactured silk, presented to him a few days since by the silk 
company chartered, I believe, at the first Session of the Assembly 
in 1841-2. 

In the evening saw W. H. Pj^lk and Humphreys together, and 
agreed to meet on Monday evening at Judge Austin Millers room, to 
consult on arrangement of matters — preparation of papers. Address 
etc, for the state convention next month — and to consult about proper 
persons for Delegates to the National Convention. I suggested L. H. 
Coe and J. Blair, as the two at large, corresponding with the number 
of our Senators in Congress — for two Delegates. 

Rec'd letter from Gov. Polk, but had written him last night, and 
had enclosed T. P. Moore's letter. Expect an answer by Monday as 
that is the day on which he is to leave his home at Columbia for 
Mississippi. . . . 

Sunday, Oct. 22, 1843. 

Rose rather late. It rained incessantly last night. Sent Mr. 
Rawling's boy Sandy with a few-,lines to Dr. Smartt, and a letter 
to L. N. Ford of yesterday's date, giving an account of the inaugu- 
ration. It will appear in the Gazette, McMinnville. Read The Lady 
Alice, or Nobleman's Daughter, a Tale of Reformation in England. 
Scene is laid about time of Cardinal Wolsey's downfall, and the 
seizure of the Monasteries. The characters of Hubert, the monk, 
who becomes a martyr, and of Alice are drawn with great power, but 
rather beyond nature even when supported by superstition, enthusi- 
asm and fanaticism. Hubert has a courage and virtue beyond human- 
ity, and she a fortitude and purity beyond the angels. These two, were, 
of course, virtuously and piously in love with each other without the 
possibility of ever being united on earth. He becomes a martyr, and 
saint, and she dies broken hearted, in spite of religious resignation. 
After this, read, as printed in same No. of the Boston Notion, [sic'\ 
Spallatro the Robber, being the confession of under sentence of death 
to a priest. It is a romantic and visionary tale, and if it inculcates any 
moral, it is an admotion to avoid wine and women — these being indi- 
cated by the red cup, and visionary female shown to Spallatro at his 
dwelling. It is inculcated by these I think, but obscurely, that wine 
and women carry men to the devil. 

I spent a rather unpleasant day. I, however, about 10 o'clock in 
the morning learned from Col. Boiling Gordon, that the Hon. Cave 
Johnson was at the Inn, and wished to see me. I waited on Mr. 
Johnson. He had been in town all the previous day, but I did not 
know it. We talked over all the presidential and Vice Presidential 
prospects, and agreed, that the course I informed him we expected to 
take at our State Convention, was, probably best; though he was 
inclined to think as good a way as we could do^ would be to hoist the 
flag for Polk and Van Buren. I suggested that such would be my 
most ardent wish if we could promise ourselves success, or as much 
chance for success, as to send our Delegates to Baltimore next spring, 
uncommitted and unbound as to the presidency. I promised to write 



Documents 

to him, and he promised to write me his views, and last impressions, 
and suggestions as to a Delegate from his district. With him and 
A. V. Brown, I have agreed to keep up constant correspondence after 
they leave for Washington. , . . 

Monday, Oct. 23, 1843. 

Got up refreshed, and after breakfast went to town and Senate 
Chamber. Resolution passed, and sent to the House, opening biddings 
for public printing, on application "of W. L. Bang and Co, being the 
journeymen printers of Nashville offering to do work for a price as 
low as journeymens wages, being greatly below other bids. Voted 
for proposal. Voted for Mr. Powells proposition to tax Lawyers, 
Doctors, Dentists etc. Mr. Turney moved to amend title of the reso- 
lution, so as to make it read as proposition to tax the poor. Voted 
against this amendment. 

In the evening attended the silk convention in the Hall of the 
House, by candle light. Dr. John Shelby of Davidson was appointed 
president for next year, and [ ]" 

In some remarks submitted by myself, on call of Mr. Carden and 
others, I thanked the silk society for the honor they had done my 
countl, in adjudging the cacoons raised by Mrs. Randolph and family 
to be the best that had been brought to market during the season. 
I said also, that I had voted for the moderate silk bounty in the As- 
sembly in 1841, and was proud to see the good effects of the bounty. 
That I felt sure that it was right then, whatever the public state of 
our finances may require us to do now. The silk business as a branch 
of domestic industry — as a meritorious branch of Household industry, 
which never can become a monopoly — in which all, rich and poor, old 
and young, may freely participate, is now established upon a sure 
footing. I said further, that the practicability of success in the silk 
growing and manufacturing business no longer rested upon conjec- 
ture and theory, but was demonstrated by the rich specimens of silk, 
cacoons, eggs, and manufactured article, consisting of satins, vest- 
ings, velvets, plain and figured hose, gloves, etc. Now spread out on 
tables before the Convention. I said that success in the silk business 
in the United States, was a verification of the prophetic anticipations 
of our ancesters [sic}. Even before the Revolution, in early colonial 
times, success and profits in this business had been looked to with 
confidence by many colonists, and especially those of Maryland and 
Georgia, one being one of the oldest, and the other one of the young- 
est of the Colonies. Since that question of bounties — which had been 
allowed by 17 states — was before the Assembly in 1841, I had noticed 
and noted these facts, and now adverted to them with pleasure. I 
concluded by saying, that I looked upon the success of the silk business 
in Tennessee was now certain. The delusion of the moms multicaulus 
humbug has passed away, and the whole business has assumed a prac- 
tical aspect. No man, said I, more ardently desires to see the success 
of this enterprise than myself; and I am particularly proud to see the 
advance, which the mountain district has made in this business. War- 
ren, Coffee, Cannon and White Counties have sent rich specimens of 
silk to market — they are before the Convention. That district, with 
which I am politically and socially connected, in time, said I, will, from 
her soil, water power, health, and other advantages, hereafter become 
a flourishing, a prosperous manufacturing region. She will, though 
we may not live to see it, hereafter have her Lowells, Patersons, and 
Steubenvilles — the falls of the Caney Fork, the falls at Stone Fort, 
on Piney, and a hundred other points on the rivers of the Mountain 

*^Blank in Ms. 



Laughlin Diaries 

District present the best sites for water power and manufacturing 
establishments in the whole great South West. So I concluded. — 
Went home late, to Mr. Kizers, and slept well. 

On this day, the election of Register was completed. The contest 
was narrowed down until none but W, W. Searcy of Carroll, and 
R. Elder of Gibson were in nomination. Then Elder beat Searcy, by 
vote of 54 to 40. I voted for Searcy — both beings Whigs — because 
he is a cripple, and has a large needy family. 

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1843. 

Slept late and soundly, and got up and went to Senate. I introduced 
A Bill to tax Gold watches, plate, paintings and Jewelry at 5 pr. cent 
on value where over $50 — and to tax pianos 2 per cent on value, except 
where used in schools. Academies, and by teachers in giving instruc- 
tions in music. 

Rec'd letters from J. W. Ford, communicating a No. of Sparta 
Gazette of 21st instant, containing a communication from John B. 
Rodgers as to course of himself and Whig party in the Assembly on 
Seat of Government question — and a letter from Dr. Smartt advising 
me that my mother is improving in health. At night, wrote letter to 
L. N. Ford for publication about silk business and Convention. Also 
wrote an Answer, signed "Collins River," addressed to Editor of Cen- 
tral Gazette, and enclosed it in letter to Mr. Ford to be published next 
Friday. 

Rec'd a letter from Gov. Polk, dated 22nd. instant, re-enclosing 
to me Maj. T, P. Moore of Harrodsburg, of 15th. instant — all on sub- 
ject of the Presidency and Vice Presidency, National Convention — 
our State Convention and Delegates. Talked with R. W. Powell, and 
urged him to accept appointment of Delegate to N. Con. from 1st. 
Cong, district — with A. Johnson" as alternate. Urged him to write 
to John Blair of Jonesboro and get him to agree to serve as one of 
the Delegates for the State at large — L. H. Coe being the other. 

In the evening went to the Room prepared near Union office 
(after supping at Mr. Rawlings) for consultation with Democrats. 
A meeting had been appointed to consult on preliminary measures 
preparatory to sitting of State Convention. It rained so much that 
but few came. Mr. Nicholson came late. All went away and ap- 
pointed tomorrow evening for meeting. It was at this room I wrote 
to Ford as before stated. Slept at Rawlings, and read in Richmond 
Equirer before going to sleep, money article from N. York Herald on 
Tariff and banking etc. These able articles are written by Mr. Ket- 
tell of N. Y. Richie [sic'] calls on him for information as to effect 
of Tariff of 1842. It was stated in a Whig paper which I read, that 
a Mr. Raymond (one of the Editors of the New York Tribune) is 
the author of the Life of Henry Clay prefixed to the late edition (se- 
lection) of his speeches. 

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1843. 
Rec'd letter from C. C. Clay (Judge of the Supreme Court of 
Alabama, formerly Gov. and Senator and representative in Congress 
from that State [)] dated Oct. 21, 1843 — acknowledging mine of the 
17th instant, on the subject of the Presidency and Vice Presidency — 
informs me that he [is] friendly to Polk and Col. W. R. King. Wrote 
letter to Hon. Nathaniel Terry of Limestone Co. Al. on the subject 
of Gov. Polk's claims to the Vice Presidency, rec'd letter from Dr. 
Smartt. At night, at Kizer's read the commencement of Miss 
Bremer's President's Daughter's, translated by Mrs. Mary Howett. 

"Andrew Johnson, of Greeneville, elected in 1843, Representative in Congress 



Documents 

Good book I believe. Fredericka Bremer and Mary Howett, for their 
naturalness and love of domestic life and rural scenes are my favorite 
authors, in petticoats, of the present day. Got a variety of news- 
papers from Union office, Missourian — St. Louis Reporter etc. show- 
ing the split which old Shadrack Penn is trying to make in the demo- 
cratic party in that state. The Missourian, which I will transfer to 
my Scrap Book, contains Col. Benton's Speech at St. Louis, and pro- 
ceedings of city authorities on death of Dr. Linn (Lewis F.) Senator 
in Congress from that state. 

Slept with Houston, and slept well. In course of day debate 
sprung up upon report made by Mr. Cullom as chairman of Com. 
on Banks, rejecting appointment of Commissioners, and recommend- 
ing examinations of officers of banks on oath before examining Com- 
mittee of members. Took part in debate. Plan of Committee is the 
same which I was in favor of in 1841, when Gov. Jones' recommenda- 
tion of Commissioners was rejected. The reasons of committee are 
the same I then gave in a published speech at called session in 1842, 
when the recommendation was renewed by Gov. Jones. See debate 
of this day in next Banner and Union, of the dates of tomorrow and 
next day. 

Thursday, Oct. 26, 1843. 

Got up refreshed. Received letter from T. H. Hopkins, from 
Coffee, advising me that H. L. Turney was sick and could not attend 
to my law business at Manchester. That my friends there approved 
of my course on seat of Govt, question. 

Reed letter of 11th. October, 1843, from my friend Jonathan King, 
near Abingdon, Va. Informs me that his eldest daughter is married 
(fall of 1842) to a son of Benj. Pemberton — that David Vance has 
gone to Mississippi. That land is dear etc. This friendly letter 
I will answer. 

My Two Term Circuit Court Bill came up — my amendment for 
reducing circuits from 14 to 10, and Judges Salaries to $1200 per ann. 
was rejected — and amendment of Committee on Judiciary, providing 
for two terms, special terms, and reducing salaries, without reducing 
member of circuits was adopted and Bill passed a second reading. — 
I voted for my amendment, and loosing [sic'\ that, I voted for Com- 
mittees amendment, and pasage of Bill. 

The Bill restoring spring Musters came up, and passed 2nd. read- 
ing, I voting for it as instructed by Gen. Patton's letter. — Spent pleas- 
ant evening at home, reading and cutting pieces out of newspapers 
for Scrap Book, and Miss Bremer's Presidents Daughters. . . . Found 
Houston at home. Fear he is not reading to advantage. Talked 
with Ellen and Kizer about trying to get Dr. Smith, a young Yankee 
to Hickory Hill to teach my boys. Fear it will "cost more than it 
will come to." 

In Senate Gen. Cocke was severe, angry, and showed effects of 
age, in quarreling with Mr. Gordon on Bill incorporating Dandridge. 

Friday Oct. 27, 1843. 
Felt well all day. No matter of much import. The Bill to restore 
spring musters, Company and Batallion, called up and passed on 
motion of Mr. Ross of Lincoln. I voted for it; and informed Mess. 
Trott and Smartt of Gen. Patton's letter on subject. Read some in 
Bremer's Presidents Daughters. Saw Mr. Sam Smartt, who was 
staying at Washington Hotel (Hallum's) and he promised to take 
letters etc. for me in the morning. 



Laughlin Diaries 

In the evening wrote to L. N. Ford, about retrenchment — my 
Court bill etc, and to my father and Dr. Smartt. Sent Report of Com. 
of Ways and Means to Gen. Smartt, L. D. Mercer, Dr. Paine, Dr. 
Smartt etc, with my objections to taxes, and reduction of the school 
appropriations endorsed on back of them. Wrote my father about 
work on my House, and asked him and Dr. Smartt to send a barrel 
of potatoes by first passing- wagon to as here, for use of Ellen as 
specimen of our Mountain produce; and so that I might send shoes 
to my negroes. Sent coarse pair to son John by Mr. Smartt. 
Asked to be constantly informed of state of my mother's health, and 
informed father of condition of all our family here, and contents of 
Jonathan Kings letter. Read more in Miss Bremer. She is charm- 
ing writer. I am disposed to pitty [sic] and love poor Edla instead of 
hating or blaming. . . . 

Bill to run and better define line between Warren and Marion 
Counties, laid on table at request of Speaker Anderson. At his re- 
quest, I had introduced the bill but had made it discretionary with the 
County Courts of the Counties, both concerning, to appoint surveyor, 
and have such parts of line run as were uncertain, and unmarked, 
but to be run according to calls of the old laws fixing and creating 
the Counties and their boundaries. This does not seem to suit Ander- 
son; hence I suspect he or his constituents who have petitioned (mine 
have not petitioned) want some of our Territory, and I gave him 
notice, when Bill was laid on table, that I would consent to no mode 
of re-running line, but the manner specified in the Bill. 

This day Mr. Sneed from Committee on Finance, reported against 
the relief prayed for by Audley Harrison and others, and securities 
of John Grove, late sheriff of Warren. I had introduced a Bill for 
their relief, which with the petition, had been referred to that Com- 
mittee. The Bill provides that on securities — Harrison is the person 
who must do it — paying up full arrearages of Grove's defaulcation of 
state tax due the Treasury, it being a balance, the interest shall be 
remitted on such balance. The petitioned signed by Squire Harrison, 
as one of the securities, and by J. P. Thompson, Jos. N. Carter and 
R. A. Campbell on his behalf, sets forth that Harrison has long since 
paid $1100 or $1200 for Groves defaulcation of County taxes — and 
never knew of balance, because no official claim had been set up, until 
lately of the balance now claimed by state, or it would have been long 
since paid. The petition stated Grove to be hopelessly insolvent, and 
that whole loss must fall on Squire Harrison. Hence, the prayer for 
remission of interest. — On my motion report was laid on table, to 
see if further proof and reasons could be produced in favor of re- 
mission by petitioner before the report was concurred in and claim 
rejected. Will write to Squire Harrison on Sunday next. 

Went to bed early, and slept well. 

Saturday, Oct. 28, 1843. 
Went to Senate Chamber early. Read Nashville Whig, and sent 
Messenger, young Ferriss to Whig office, to have report of my re- 
marks on Thursday last corrected as to Circuit Court bill, where he 
makes me speak as though there were but 12 circuits in the state, 
whereas there are 14. Saw reporter, who said correction would be 
made. — Many Senators were absent, Gordon Martin, Allen etc., and 
Sneed got leave of absence. Bill to make property exempt from from 
execution for debts liable for taxes, came up. It had been introduced 
by Nicholson. I spoke against it — It was, on motion of Mr. Turney, 
indefinitely postponed. Saw Dr. Young, and told him Jas. K. Polk 
had written letters here, urging his re-election, and trying to per- 



Documents 

suade W. H. Polk to go for him. — Maj. Trott told me in the evening 
of sparring he had had in course of the day with Speaker Barringer. 
Saw Nave of Carter in evening who told me, that Speaker Barringer 
was threatening to have Mulloy, reporter of the Union, removed from 
a place in the House, because in reporting the proceedings of yester- 
day or day before, he had stated that most of the democratic mem- 
bers in the House, voted against Barringers motion to strike out of 
resolutions instructing bank Committee that portion which required 
the politics of borrowers at bank and branches to be disclosed. Nave 
said that he would have so voted, and that many Whigs would have 
so voted, as well as democrats, but that the speaker to sustain his 
own motion, had decided in haste. I asked several democrats, Bobo 
among others, and they all said the democrats were against striking 
it out. The charge of the speaker is, that the report is false in stat- 
ing that the democrats mostly so voted. I have no doubt it is true; 
and that they will nearly to a man so vote when called to vote. The 
Democrats in the Senate so vote. This conversation with Mr. Nave, 
who showed the report in the Union of to-day to Bobo and myself, 
was at Mr, Rawlings, where I stayed all night in room with Nave 
and Bobo. — 

After supper went with some friends to meeting of Nashville 
Democratic Association. I first went to Gen. Armstrong's, who told 
me that he feared that A. Ewing and others, possibly at instance 
of Mr. Senator Nicholson, had intentions of stirring the question 
of preference and question of availability as to the different candi- 
dates for the Presidency at the meeting. I agreed with him that 
every such discussion was premature, and promised to suppress it 
if I could in the meeting. Before meeting was organized, I men- 
tioned to Mr. Mosely, Maj. Hollingsworth, Dr. Kenny, Messrs. Crouch 
and Milligan, Sam Turney and others, that all such discussions in 
my opinion should be avoided. 

The meeting appointed committees to arrange for the Davidson 
County meeting on 1st Monday in November; to prepare resolutions, 
etc. 

Mr. Haynes, a member of the Association, Mr. A. Ewing in the 
chair, made an excellent speech against admitting members who did 
not subscribe the constition [sic'\, and concur in objects of the asso- 
ciation. Hollingsworth and Mosely both spoke to same effect. 

After this business was done, Mr. Ewing called on me for a 
speech. I replied, in responding, that I came there to learn and 
hear — to approve of the objects of the association, and for improve- 
ment and not to speak. I said that it had been now over ten years 
since I first became associated with the democracy of Davidson 
publicly. That while I had lived here, I had fought with them, es- 
pecially after the great split in the party in 1835; and that since 
my lot had been cast elsewhere, I had still been with them, heart 
and hand, for the promotion of our principles. I said that I had 
never disagreed with them but upon one great local question, lately 
decided — that I had been against their local and personal wishes on 
that subject at all times, and had separated in it with many of my 
best and dearest friends whose personal and local interests were 
here — that I did this with regret but with a clear sense of public 
duty — the good o fthe people of the state — the good of the great body 
of the democratic party, and in obedience to the express will of those 
of whom I had been for years the humble representative, and from 
my own convictions of Justice and right; and that if I had not, 
under these circumstances, differed with, and endeavored by all fair 
and honorable means to defeat the wishes and views of the loccal 



Laughlin Diaries 

[sic'] democracy of Nashville and Davidson County, dearly as I held 
them in personal estimation, I should have richly deserved the scorn 
and contempt of every old personal and political friend who now 
hears me — of every good man of our party everywhere — I need not 
say that I alluded to the seat of Government question lately settled. 

I expressed my approbation of the plan of the association, and 
that it deserved imitation everywhere. I exhorted our friends to 
keep down and eschew every discussion which might divide us — all 
disagreements about preference of Presidential candidates. I said, 
that if we, in the contest of next year, can have Jas. K. Polk's name 
on our ticket, as a lieutenant Genl. Commanding the division of the 
republican army composed of the democracy of Tennessee, that we 
would whip the Whigs whether their Grand Army was commanded 
by the Hero of the Slashes and Mealbags — Judge McLean in his 
judicial robes, or Gen. Scott adorned with his epaulettes and military 
badges. — I advised the admission of members into this association, 
who could give in proper experiences, and subscribe the constitu- 
tion — but all who knocked for admission, without being able to give 
in a proper confession of faith I advised that the answer should be 
given, given to the fellow who applied for admission into the baptist 
church at Rock Springs, that ive have quit taking in — and told the 
anecdote. 

Dr. Kenny spoke to same effect, and said he would advise his 
friends to establish such an association as this at Jonesboro. He said 
not [sic] was not proper time, in his judgment, for us to disagree 
about or discuss our preferences for the candidates for Presidency. He 
said such associations as this, all over the State, would enable us to 
overthrough the Whig party — and especially the party here, who 
were dominant, and had made Nashville a political Sodom and Go- 
morrah of Whiggery. 

Mr. Sam Turney on being called on, said all knew he was a 
true democrat — that to get along at home he had been compelled 
like a hewer, to strike along an exact line. He said that if Van 
Buren was to be our next candidate for President we could gain no 
strength in his country, but loose votes. He thought Cass more 
available. He said he thought we ought to speak out — he saw noth- 
ing wrong in it, and not restrain ourselves as had been suggested 
by myself and Kenny. 

I replied to him, that we were not here as a convention to make 
nominations, nor as a primary meeting of the people to pass reso- 
lutions expressive of preferences; that such discussions were prema- 
ture, and, I believed, especially improper, as any disagreement among 
ourselves would be instantly known across the street, by the Whig 
Editors and newspapers who would roll our dissentions as sweet 
morsels under their tongues. 

Mr. Ross of Lincoln on being called on, addressed the meeting. 
Approved of the association, and the good it may do by disseminating 
correct information in discussions and through the press. Spoke 
of the cart loads of Whig Banners which had been sent into his 
district (Franklin and Lincoln) during last summer. 

The meeting adjourned, with the understanding, that the Society 
would meet on the evening of Saturday next, and discuss the Tariff 
question, if members, or members of the legislature would attend 
and give their views in short speeches. 

Received letters from Dr. Smartt and Mary Argo in the evening, 
hers of the 26th — his of the 27th inst. My mother no better. Mary 
asks advice if Mr. Argo had not better sell Mose, to raise means to 
begin some business. I will answer expressly no. If Mr. Argo 



Documents 

should die, Moses, as a servant, must be nearly all poor Mary's 
dependence for support. Now he is out of reach of Mr. Argo, and his 
creditors. 

Bill for calling in branch banks, unless they make 6 pr cent, read 
second time, amended on my motion, to provide for buying state 
bonds at lowest rates. 

Sunday, Oct. 29, 1843. 
Slept at Mr. Rawlings' after attending the meeting of Demo- 
cratic Association. Breakfasted before I went home to Kizer's. 
Maj. Bobo told me of his diffence [sic'\ with Senator Ross of Anderson. 
He also requested me to prepare for him a minority report to be 
presented to House on Tuesday next, in one expected of Maury as 
Chairman of Com. on Federal Relations in the House on that day, 
on subject of mode of electing Senators to Congress. After I went 
home, wrote up Diary, and read Miss Bremer's Presidents Daughters 
— a work of excellent moral and religious tendency. ... At 
night wrote letters to Judge Marchbanks and Mr. T. H. Hopkins 
at Manchester — and to Audley Harrison about his claim for re- 
mission of interest. Also sent him N. Union of yesterday. In the 
evening also read more of Miss Bremer. I am absolutely in love 
with her as well as her translator Mrs. Howitt, the English Quaker- 
ess. Slept soon. 

Monday, Oct. 30, 1843. 
In course of day Judge N. Green applied to me in Senate Cham- 
ber to agree for Atto. Genls. election to come on next Monday in 
13th (Marchbank's Circuit) Circuit. Told him I had written to Mr. 
T. H. Hopkins yesterday at Manchester, that election would not 
come on for sometime; and that I could consent to no day, as far as 
I was concerned, I wished to consult Mr. H. and his friends and would 
again write to Mr. Hopkins. This I did in the course of the day, 
and requested Mr. H. to come here by next Sunday or Monday. — 
Today resolution, offered by Dr. Jennings, was passed to go into 
election of Treasurer and Comptroller on the 1st. Nov. prox. sent to 
House. Wrote to Capt. A. L. Davis about state of Bank question 
here — and asked indulgence of him and Capt. Young, President 
of Branch Bank, Sparta, in renewing my notes. Promised Maj. 
Bobo to prepare a counter report on mode of electing Senators in 
Congress. — Read Miss Bremer; and Humes letter on Free Trade in 
Lynchburg Virginian; and Kettells response to Ritchies inquiries, 
taken from Money article of N. York Herald of 10th and 11th inst. 
Bought coat for son of Melas the Jew. 

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1843. 
Nothing new in course of the day. A joint resolution was passed 
bv Senate, for which I voted, declaring it proper to reduce Secretary 
of State's salary to $700 — Treasurer to $1,200 — and Comptrollers to 
$1,500. Saw Maury's report to House, shown me by Bobo, on elec- 
tion of U. S. Senators, from Com. of House on Federal Relations — 
recommending method of electing by joint vote in convention of the 
two Houses. It is grounded upon custom and precedent and be- 
cause it is surest way of choosing Senators so as to conform to the 
will of a majority of the people. — Promised Maj. Bobo to prepare 
a minority report, counter to the above, as early as I can, so as to 
do justice to the subject. In course of day hunted up my Protest 
on same subject in Senate Journal of 1841-2, at page 315 et sequiter; 
and yet need Gardner's speech in 1841, and Clay's speech on Bank 



Laughlin Diaries 

charter in 1811, showing that legislature precedents are of no au- 
thority, and serve only to "confirm error and perpetuate usurption." 

In evening bought Anthon's edition of Hughes' Tract in answer 
to Puseyitea, from Billings. It is entitled [ ]** and is founded 

on the authority of many Bishops and their Pastoral charges in 
1840-1-2 and 1843. 

. . I received Central Gazette of last Friday, having my 
'^iece signed Collin's River in reply to Gen. Rodger's letter in Sparta 
Gazette about seat of Government question. 

At night wrote to Ford about election of Treasurer and Comp- 
troller — also to Van Pelt — date as of tomorrow, on same subject — 
and doing justice to Graham's and Francis' claims. Commenced 
counter report for Bobo. Wrote till 12 o'clock, did not finish, and had 
no time to read anything. I^" ' not sleep well. 

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1843. 

This morning after arising early and revising my last nights 
letters, sent them to post office, and hastened to Senate Chamber. 
Reed, letter from Dr. Smartt of the 30th. ult. (Monday morning) 
informing me that mother is no better in health. I am greatly dis- 
tressed, and borne down by my sorrows. Everything aff[l]icts me. 
If I could, without dishonor, resign my seat here and go home, how 
gladly would I do it. — At ten o'clock, the Houses met in convention 
to elect a Treasurer and Comptroller. The election Comptroller 
came on first, and was decided between D. Graham, nominated by 
W. H. Polk, and Zollicoffer, nominated by Mr. Cocke, by a party vote, 
except Shirrell Whig of Bledsoe, and Sneed Whig of Rutherford, 
voted for Graham democrat; and Gordon of Maury, and Gordon 
of Hickman, democrats, voted for Zollicoffer Whig. — The election 
of Treasurer was then postponed by convention on motion of Mr. 
Cullom, by vote of 53 to 47, to 20th Nov. inst. All the Whigs voted 
for postponement but Shirill of Bledsoe. 

Debate sprung up in Senate on Turney's motion to strike out 
the section of retrenchment bill, the provision for taxing Judges 
salaries. Allen and Harris spoke in favor of striking out. Powell, 
Nicholson and myself in favor of retaining, claiming power under the 
constitution of Tennessee, to tax the salaries as income or privileges. 
Nelson spoke against it — or in doubt. Cullom was for taxing. I 
spoke in favor of taxing Judges, Lawyers and Doctors. Gen. Cocke 
was for the power. Gordon against taxing Judges. Wrote to Ford 
of Central Gazette at home, and Van Pelt of Appeal at Memphis, 
about the proscription of Graham. Read papers, and felt not well — 
but with small anodyne pill, slept well. Maj. Donelson showed me 
letters he had written to Moses Dawson, Hon. W. Allen, and Gov. 
Polk about Vice Presidency — but said from movements of Andrew 
Ewing and others, he did not know whether to send them — their 
course was ruinous to Polk and dem. party here. 

Thursday, Nov. 2, 1843. 
Introduced in Senate and had read Petition from Trap [ ]** 
of Smith praying to be annexed to DeKalb according to line run by 
Thomas Durham, which I had read, and transmitted to H. of R. 
The Bill came up again to tax Judges etc on motion of Mr. Turney. 
Nicholson spoke at large, and the debate was generally renewed, and 
motion to strike out tax on Judges and lawyers and Doctors, made 

"Blank in Ms. 
"Blank in Ms. 



Documents 

by Mr. Turney was rejected — and then the Bill was rejected on a 
tie vote of 12 and 12 Mr. Graham absent. Mr. Ross of Anderson 
made a motion to reconsider the Bill which lies on the table. 

The two Term Circuit Court bill was taken up, and several efforts 
made to strike out that part reducing the Judges salaries, on motion 
of Sneed, Cullom etc. After these failures, it was laid on table to 
give gentlemen time to arrange the times for the sitting of the Courts 
in the respective circuits. Mr. Martin of Wilson, while the Bill was 
under discussion, offered an amendment to abolish the Chancery 
Courts, and confer the Jurisdiction on the Circuit Courts. The 
amendment was rejected on a vote of ayes 9, Nays 16. 

Commenced reading Minna, another of Miss Bremer's admirable 
Tales 

Friday, Nov. 3, 1843. 

The Senate were engaged good part of the day — particularly the 
Whigs, in fixing up their resolutions for the proposed Bank inves- 
tigation. Farringdon's amendment prevailed over Sneeds, to ap- 
point three men in each bank district to make an examination, and 
report to the present Assembly. For Sparta district, Bransford, 
Minnis and Ned Cullom were in the amendment, but on my motion, 
Jas. P. Thompson was put — and Maj. Taylor, Turney agreeing, and 
leaving out Minnis and Cullom. So it passed. Mr. Huddleston of 
Overton told me in the evening, that he would move in House, to put 
Dr. McHenry in place of Maj. Taylor. I will not object, as Capt. 
A. L. Davis the cashier, expressed a delicacy to me today in having 
Maj. Taylor, as he is his father-in-law. 

The Court Bill, for two terms, and reduced salaries passed finally 
in Senate, and the time of the Courts were all inserted. Got papers 
in evening from Maj. Heiss to write some for Union, Mr. Hogan be- 
ing sick. Last night I wrote article about John Bell, as he was named 
in Jonesboro Whig — and to-day wrote article which will appear as 
the leader tomorrow, headed, Presidency and Vice Presidency. I 
wrote this to put down a disposition in A. Ewing and others, and I 
feared Turney and Pierce Anderson are in it, instigated by Nichol- 
son to have public expression of opinion from Cass and thereby crush 
all Polk's prospects for the Vice Presidency. Wrote further to Van 
Pelt about Graham's removal. 

Saturday, Nov. 4th. 

Saw L. Cheatham, and talked with him and Maj. Loving upon 
the necessity of putting down the disposition to introduce disputes 
into the Democratic Association, and Davidson County meeting ques- 
tions about preferences for the Presidency. We all agreed that such 
course was ruinous to Polks interest, and true interest of party in 
Tennessee. Memphis Court Bill was passed yesterday — and Bill 
amending attachment law today. 

Read Penn's letters, Nos. 3 and 4 to Col. Benton in St. Louis re- 
porter. Will try to get 1 and 2nd. Read article on National Con- 
vention in Democratic Review as copied into Huntsville Democrat, 

Cut out man yarticles for Scrap Book from papers obtained at 
Union office, but feel too unwell to insert them. 

Sunday, Nov. 5, 1843. 
Did but little — Read in Miss Bremer's Nina. 

Monday, Nov. 6, 1843. 
Wrote article for tomorrows Union headed "Whig Gratitude" etc. 
For legislative proceedings see Journals. Anxious to hear from home. 



Laughlin Diaries 

Wrote Dr. Smartt that I would try to come home by next Wednesday. 
Little boy, John Johnson, escaped from Stickney's Circus and came 
to Twiss' and from there Twiss brought him to Kizer's. Fell Isic} 
interested for him. If the circus reclaim him he will be raised as a 
vagabond. To let them get him will be like selling him into slavery. 
If his profligate father has sold him, he ought to be reclaimed from 
such prospective ruin. 

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1843. 
Tried to elect Atto Genl. in 13th Marchbank's Circuit, but could 
not. Votes for Hopkins. This night letter came informing me that 
my mother had died on Sunday. Did not get it til Wednesday morn- 
ing. For the proceedings in Assembly, see Journal. Mr. Sherrell 
nominated Hopkins. After a time he was withdrawn. I voted then 
for Mr. Rodgers of Fayetteville. He was a democrat. Goff, Green 
and Kercheval, the other candidates all Whigs. Houston went to 
Mr. Bateys with boy John Johnson. Wrote to Mrs. B. 

Wednesday, Nov. 8th, 1843. 

After the Senate met Mr. G. R. Smartt the Representative from 
Warren; showed me a letter from Dr. Paine of McMinnville, stat- 
ing my mothers death. Hopkins was nominated again by Mr. Hud- 
dleston. I voted for him till it was agreed to withdraw him from can- 
vass. Mr. Rodgers had been withdrawn evening before, and Kercheval 
nominated. 

After I saw letter to Mr. Smartt, and received my letter from 
Dr. Smartt, I retired from the Convention — requesting Col. Alexan- 
der of Shelby, or Mr. Gordon to ask for leave of absence for me, 
when my name should be called. I went home and returned no more 
to the Senate during the day. 

Goff was elected in evening as I hear, and election for 12th 
Circuit (Robt. Anderson's) commenced. Powell of Rogersville, Cas- 
well of Jefferson Co. Sawyers of Claiborne and Heiskell of Knox 
(son of Fred. Heiskell the old proprietor of the Knoxville register) 
were the candidates. 

Thursday, Nov. 9, 1843. 

Went to Senate in the morning, and then into Convention, and 
voted for Powell (a democrat — son of the late Judge Powell) till 
his name was withdrawn, and then for W. R. Caswell til he was 
elected. He is son of Mrs. Ben McCulloch of Rutherford. Is now a 
citizen of Jefferson. He voted for me in 1829, when he was just of 
age in Rutherford, against W. Brady, for a seat in the House of 
R. in Assembly. He is said to be a worthy man. He was elected. 

The next election was in 9th Circuit (Judge Harris in W. dis- 
trict) Hamilton of Carroll, Williams of Paris, Felix Parker of 
Robertson and [ ]" being candidates. J. B. Williams was 

elected. I and Smartt voted for Parker to secure vote of Bone of 
Gibson and others for Mr. Francis for Treasurer. Smartt told me 
he would go home tomorrow. For proceedings of Assembly see 
Journal. Wrote some things for Union. Piece for Saturdays paper, 
which will not appeal before Monday next about J. G. Adams visit 
to Cincinnati and invitation to Louisville. Saw Hon. A. V. Brown 
who told me he would be here some days. 

Friday, Nov. 10, 1843. 
Bought shoes, 7 pair altogether, and sent home in stage by Mr. 
Hopkins for negroes — and wrote to Houston at Mrs. Batey's, to send 

•'Blank in Ms. 



Documents 

the two pair which he had there, with the 5 Hopkins had, as Mr. 
Hopkins would pass on home. Wrote to Dr. Smartt by G. R. Smartt, 
and to my father by Mr. Hopkins. 

Assembly did but little. Many Senators about — Allen, Ross of 
L. etc. See Journal. 

Saturday, Nov. 11, 1843. 

Senate did but little. Rejected Nelson's Bill to allow counter- 
parts to be served, over county lines, of warrants for debt issued 
by magistrates. Voted against it, because it would enable creditors 
with increased costs, to collect their debts first out of securities and 
endorsers; and because it would enable creditors, by a fictitious as- 
signment, and suffering warrant to be issued against themselves, 
and sending counterparts to other counties, all over the state, to 
collect their debts at home; because it would disable debtors to give 
stays at distance, and because Culloms amendment, adopted to the 
blil, allowed justices executions in such cases, to be sent all over 
the state. — Houston came back to-day having rode in the night from 
Batey's, Green's old place, near Buchanan's. Senate did not sit in 
afternoon. Andw. Ewing, or somebody, published to-day, a poor 
biography of Gen. Cass (Col. Cass) in the Union. Gen. Armstrong 
went to Hermitage, and received letter from Genl. Jackson, from 
Santa Anna, about releasing certain prisoners — One a son of Reuben 
Bradley of Abingdon.^® 

Read W. L. McKenzies New York Examiner. (1st 3 Nos) to see 
his vile attacks on Mr. Van Buren. He is a poor hireling, and his 
emnity to Mr. V. B. arises from Mr. V. B as President of the U. S. 
interfering to prevent American citizens from interfering in Canadian 
revolt in 1838. McK. says he has made his declaration to become 
naturalized. Ellen is busy gardening, and this evening set out small 
row of little cedars running back from south side of lower front 
gate. Mr. Kizer got two new works yesterday, on Horticulture and 
farming — 

Washington City, April 27, 1845. 
From some cause I was prevented from pursuing this Diary. A 
trip made hastily from Nashville home for three or four days, stopped 
my progress, and I did not resume it. After the Assembly adjourned 
in January 1844, I went home, but stayed only a short time. Before 
Assembly adjourned, as well as seen by letters and paper bound up 
in my letter book of 1844. I was requested in writing to return to 
Nashville in the Spring, by all the democratic members, and by the 
State corresponding Committee at Nashville, and at Jackson, and to 
Edit the Union newspaper and a weekly pamphlet called the Star 
Spangled Banner, during the canvass in the approaching Presidential 
election. I did so return, and except while I was at the Baltimore 
National Democratic Convention, in May and June, continued to 
Edit the Union and Star Spangled Banner until after the election, 
only going home in November long enough to vote. Among my 
bound manuscripts, will be found several Diaries and Journals, on 
common long paper. One a Journal of my trip to Washington City 
in 1834-5, preparatory to first establishment of the Nashville Union, 
by myself and " Editor, and M. A. Long as publisher, which was 
commenced in March, 1835, and first published in Market Street, 
Nashville in House the property of Willo. Williams, now Wills Drug 

^'In ink of a diflferent color. 
**A slip for "as." 



Laughlin Diaries 

Store. Another Journal so bound, is of my trip to the National Con- 
vention at Baltimore in 1840 — like the last mentioned, however, 
being left incomplete. Another is notes made during my stay at 
Nashville at either Called or regular Session of Assembly in 1841-2. 
Another is notes of a hasty trip made to St. Louis, Mo. in April, 

1844, to get Beza P. Kizer bailed out of prison for stabbing some 
blackguard who insulted him. There is also among my papers, old 
notes of a Journey from McMinnville to Philadelphia in 1814 — made 
when a boy. — and a small, bound Diary, printed for 1840 — but con- 
taining memoranums of events of 1840-1841. 1842. 1843-4. and 
Family Record. After the Presidential election in 1844, in which 
James K. Polk and George M. Dallas were elected President and 
Vice President, I left home on 26 or 27th January, 1845, and left 
Nashville on 1st Feb. 1845, in company with President Polk and his 
wife, and a number of friends, and came to Washington City where 
we arrived on 14th Feb. 1844. — After President Polk was Inaugu- 
rated, on the 15th March, 1845, he nominated me to Senate as 
Recorder of the General Land Office, and on 16th I believe Senate 
confirmed it, and on 17th I was commissioned, and went into office, 
where I found Thos. H. Blake of Indiana, a Whig, Commissioner. 
About middle of April Blake was removed, and James Shields of 
Illinois appointed. He entered on his duties about 17th of April. 
About 19th or 20th of April, Dr. W. M. Gwin, of Mississippi, and 
John C. McLemore, without my request applied to Robt. J. Walker, 
Secretary of the Treasury, who was pleased at once to send me word 
to send for my son Saml Houston Laughlin, and he would instantly 
appoint him on his arrival, a clerk in my office, at salary of $1,100 
or $1,000 pr. ann. I saw Mr. Walker on evening of 24th April in 
company with Dr. Gwin near Presidents grounds, in front, and 
thanked him. He said he deserved none — it should be instantly done, 
when Houston arrived. I sent for Houston on the 22nd of April. 
On the 23rd. I informed President Polk what Mr. Walker had done — 
not at my request or knowledge — but for which I was grateful. 
Told him I thought it right to let him know of it, as I would take 
no steps about office matters, for myself or my son, without his 
knowledge. He said what Mr. Walker had done met his distinct ap- 
probation. 

All other matters however are fully note[d] in my rough-calf 
bound Note Book, Octavo, marked No. 1. — My journey to Washington 
with the President is in a similarly bound, but smaller book — and 
ends in March, 1845, after the Inauguration of President Polk, but 
is resumed with the large and fuller book marked No. the Intro- 
duction to which is a fair and compendious account of my life, my 
family, connexions and adventures. A large portion of the book 
is taken up with this autobiography. I intend, in that book, and 
one like it to be marked No. 2, to take up my Diary on 1st May 

1845, and continue it at least while I remain in Washington. 1st 
May is my birthday."" 



I^The other volumes to which the diarist here refers seem, perhaps with one ex- 
ception, to have been lost. 



I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 611 009 5 • 



